KUWAIT CITY, April 29: The existence of spy networks shouldn’t have come as a surprise to the government, says MP Adnan Al-Mutawwa, pointing out that the suppression of the issue could affect the implementation of deterring penalties.

 Al-Dar daily quoted the lawmaker as saying that the government should keep an eye on terrorist networks like the ‘Lions of Jazeera,  which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda and needs to be uprooted from the society.
“The important thing is that we are assured that terrorist networks do not exist now and even if they do, the Interior Ministry is monitoring their activities,” he said. Urging people to confront and resist such negative phenomena, Al-Mutawwa asked the government to be firm and transparent in dealing with all sorts of terrorism including the smuggling of arms into the country, which is a crime under the laws of the land. He also called for reviewing the school curricula of Islamic Studies “as most chapters are based on polarization which is not good for the image of Islam and Kuwait.”

Members of the National Labor Bloc have vowed to offer strong support to the new government and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad if acting Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd is excluded from the new cabinet lineup, informed sources told Al-Shahed daily.

 Sources said the bloc affirmed that it will not support any grilling request submitted against the premier or any minister if their condition is accepted. The bloc also indicated that it will not participate in any alliance or support those opposing the return of Sheikh Nasser.
The bloc did not criticize the government and sincerely hoped that Al-Fahd will be excluded from the new cabinet.

“The members, however, were disappointed after learning that the reappointment of Al-Fahd is almost certain,” sources said, adding this indicates that the conflicts with the government will resume.
The National Labor Bloc members gave the government an ultimatum: exclude Al-Fahd or confront interpellations without the bloc’s support. Sources say Al-Fahd is much stronger and can withstand the political maneuvers and bargains of blocs.

There are indications that an interpellation will be submitted against Al-Fahd after the oath swearing ceremony.

Meanwhile, the National Labor Bloc and the Salafists have announced that they will not walk out from the session in which the new cabinet members will take the constitutional oath, and sources say since the government has the support of parliamentary majority, the walk out of a few will not be of much significance, reports Al-Hurriya daily.

MP Khalid Al-Sultan rejected calls for walking out of the session in order to embarrass the government, saying the Salafists are against such practices.

His colleague MP Saleh Al-Mulla said “lawmakers have the right to walk out in case they want to express their displeasure over the formation of the cabinet. Although it is better to adhere to the Constitution in this respect, those not wanting to cooperate with the premier or the government can use their constitutional tools.”
Talking about interpellations, MP Ali Al-Omair said ministers have two options: mount the podium or leave the government. He mentioned that 89 percent of queries he submitted to ministers have been answered and added that they are keen on supporting efficient ministers who would be capable of executing the development plan.

Al-Omair hoped the new cabinet will be announced before May 3rd so that the parliament and the government do not get further affected.

Meanwhile, MP Hussein Al-Huraiti demanded the formation of a technocrat government whose members would be capable of doing their jobs and do not become a burden on the prime minister. He said the new cabinet should cooperate with the parliament by swiftly responding to remarks made by State Audit Bureau and MPs’ queries.

Amiri Diwan Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad is expected to arrive in the country soon, since the defense minister post has allegedly been offered to him, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting sources.
Sources revealed acting First Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, a veteran politician who enjoys harmonious relations with other members of the ruling family and other personalities in the local political arena, will most likely replace Sheikh Nasser. Sources said this is not the first time a government post was offered to Sheikh Nasser.

In another development, speculations are rife that the medical trip of Sheikh Jaber abroad is actually out of frustration for not being considered for the post, as he expected to succeed HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.  

Sources pointed out the appointment of Sheikh Nasser will lead to an alliance between the government and the Popular Labor Bloc, but if Sheikh Jaber remains in the post, then the alliance will be with the National Action Bloc.

The Democratic Forum has called on Arab governments to intervene and stop massacres taking place in Libya, Yemen and Syria, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The bloc said Arab nations are following with great concern the popular uprisings in the Arab world against regimes that do not want to let go their hold on power even if it is at the expense of their people.
The bloc also called on the Arab League to take a clear and firm stance on the issue and condemn the massacring of demonstrators.

The bloc demanded that the international community intervene to prevent Arab regimes from killing their own people and declare its support for the demonstrators’ legitimate demands.