The Kuwaiti Emir swore in a new government on Monday, handing control of the Defense Ministry to his eldest son and appointing new Oil and Finance Ministers.

The move comes weeks after the previous government, which had been formed a year ago, resigned following a dispute with Members of Parliament who filed a no-confidence motion against a Senior Minister.

Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah issued a decree naming the new line-up, with Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family, staying on as Prime Minister.

The Emir’s eldest son, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah (photo), 69, was appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

This is the first ministerial job for Sheikh Nasser, who has been the head of the royal court since early 2006.

He is seen as the main driving force behind “Silk City”, one of Kuwait’s mega projects with investments estimated at more than US$100 billion.

Sheikh Nasser received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman, to congratulate him on assuming his new post.

Prince Mohammad wished Sheikh Nasser best of luck in the service of Kuwait to achieve prosperity and advancement, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Prince Mohammad, who invited Prince Nasser to visit Saudi Arabia, wished Kuwait leadership, government and people enjoy further development and security it added.