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Kuwaiti legislators walk out in protest at old faces in new cabinet

Arab World Materials 10 May 2011 14:25 (UTC +04:00)
At least 15 Kuwaiti lawmakers withdrew from Tuesday's parliamentary session as the cabinet was sworn in, to protest the re-appointment of former ministers.
Kuwaiti legislators walk out in protest at old faces in new cabinet

At least 15 Kuwaiti lawmakers withdrew from Tuesday's parliamentary session as the cabinet was sworn in, to protest the re-appointment of former ministers, DPA reported.

The swearing-in comes two days after Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al- Ahmad al-Sabah appointed the new cabinet, in which he retained all the former key ministers.

The previous government resigned in March when three ministers, all relatives of the emir, were to to be grilled by legislators over allegations of impropriety and administrative infringements.

Two lawmakers from the liberal bloc in parliament said they would file an application to question Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed al- Ahmed al-Sabah, who was re-appointed to form a new cabinet in April one week after the government resigned, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported.

After the new cabinet was appointed on Sunday, opposition lawmaker Musallam al-Barrak said it was "doomed to failure" and that the prime minister's re-appointment had harmed Kuwait and its unity.

Former communications minister Mohammad al-Busairi was appointed minister of oil, replacing Sheikh Ahmad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, a member of the ruling family.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah was also called for questioning. He is one of four ruling family members who retained their posts.

The other three hold the key portfolios of defence, interior and the state ministry for housing and development.

The new ministers include Sami Abdullatif al-Nasef, a writer and columnist, as communications and information minister.

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