KUWAIT CITY, April 4: Independent MP Dr Salwa Al-Jassar praised His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Thursday and stressed that he is keen to ensure a strong cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative authorities for the public’s benefit in the future.

Al-Jassar commented that a meeting between a number of lawmakers and His Highness the Amir on Sunday have discussed the formation of a new Cabinet and the appointment of a prime minister. She added that the Amir listened to the lawmakers’ points of view on the issue and maintained that he will consider the current political climate and make a decision that benefits public interests.

Members of Parliament have been divided since the Cabinet’s resignation on the possible re-appointment of caretaker Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah. Independent and Shiite MPs have expressed their support for Sheikh Nasser, while Islamists and a number of Liberal MPs oppose the reappointment.

Al-Jassar further expressed her disapproval of the recent signature collection campaign launched by political youth groups, Kafi (Enough) and Al-Sour Al-Khamis (the Fifth Fence) with support of the Popular Action Bloc and the Development and Reform Bloc. She said that the campaign is unconstitutional and stressed that individuals must look at the regional political climate objectively, with caution and awareness, and consider the society’s interests before their own.

Al-Watan Arabic daily reported on Monday, quoting anonymous sources, that ten independent members of parliament have met with His Highness the Amir and other parliamentary groups are expected to meet with him during the coming days.

Speaking on behalf of the Salafi Alliance, however, MP Ali Al-Omair said that the Salafi group will not send a delegation to meet with His Highness the Amir if the Amir does not extend an invitation to meet with the group.
This is due to the tense political climate, he said. Al-Omair added that it is obvious that Sheikh Nasser’s reappointment is being revised and that his Highness the Amir holds the final decision on the matter. He stressed that all parties should cooperate with whomever is appointed prime minister.
Al-Sour Al-Khamis announced via its micro-blogging page on Twitter that the group, as well as the National Union of Kuwaiti Students, Kafi and Noreed (We Want), will hold a demonstration on Tuesday to reiterate their requests during the coming political phase. The demonstration will be held in Change Square and opposition lawmakers have announced their participation in the event.
Furthermore, commenting on his recent visits with His Highness the Amir, Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Khorafi said he was informed that the caretaker Cabinet will not attend regular parliamentary sessions until a new government is formed. He said he will adjourn Tuesday’s session and will not hold other sessions until the issue is resolved.
Meanwhile, official spokesman of the Popular Action Bloc, MP Musallam Al-Barrak, reiterated his call for a new prime minister other than Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah. He said that the past six governments that were formed by the former prime minister since 2006 have constantly failed to address the ambitions of the Kuwaiti people.

Agencies add:
In the meantime, Jassem Al-Khorafi said Monday that the choice of the government head is “in safe hands”, stressing that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is constitutionally responsible for this mission, is keen on maintaining the state stability.
“Thus, we have to wait till HH the Amir announces his choice,” Khorafi told reporters.
He also revealed that the outgoing government would not be present at the parliament sessions.
“I was also informed that the members of the outgoing government would not attend the parliament sessions,” Khorafi said.
Asked if there is a specific time for forming the government, Khorafi said “There is no time space for that, except in the case of the start of the parliament season and this is not the case now”.
He expressed hopes that the one who would form the new government would do that quickly.
“The parliament can continue work through its diverse committees. But I hope the one who would be assigned the task of forming the government to choose his team as quickly as he can to allow the legislative and executive bodies to resume their sessions and pass pending draft laws.” On the other hand, the Kuwaiti speaker voiced support to the decisions of the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in their meeting in Riyadh.
“I believe that they have taken the right decisions. I totally believe in dialogue and the importance of avoiding anything that inflames tension to help achieve the desired outcome.” Khorafi went on to say, “It is in favor of the whole region to handle all issues with wisdom and far-sighted approach and to show keenness on retaining the region’s stability. It is not in favor of anybody to keep tension in the region”.