Kuwait bill would allow military beards

The Kuwaiti parliament adopted a bill on Wednesday that scraps government restrictions on military and police personnel from growing beards.

The vote was 21-13, with all cabinet ministers voting against the measure and two MPs abstaining.

The government can reject the law within 30 days. However, parliament is dominated those who want the beard, and it could override that with a two-third majority vote.

Under existing rules, most military and police personnel are forbidden from growing a beard, but some are allowed depending on their duties.

Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khaled al-Sabah said beards in certain military occupations, such as pilots, are a hazard.

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