KUWAIT CITY, Feb 6: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabber Al-Sabah on Monday re-appointed Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah as prime minister and assigned him to select members of the new government.
The re-appointment came just a day after Sheikh Jaber submitted the resignation of his care-taker government, which has been running the country since the resignation of the previous government in December.
During its meeting on Sunday, the Cabinet approved a draft decree setting Feb 15 as the date for the National Assembly’s opening session and referred it to the Amir. As per the Constitution, the legislative authority must open two weeks after the election of its members.
Meanwhile, members of the Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) MPs Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash, Falah Al-Sawagh and Dr Faisal Al-Mislem organized a press conference Monday in the diwaniya of Al-Mislem.
Speaking at the press conference, Al-Harbash confirmed the DRB has agreed to elect MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun as Parliament speaker and MP Khalid Al-Sultan as deputy speaker.
Asked about the plans of the bloc, Al-Harbash revealed they will submit a request to open investigation on the multimillion deposit scam and questionable remittances. He also hopes the government forgives the Kuwaiti youths involved in the storming of the legislative building last year.
On the other hand, Al-Sawagh appealed to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the government to withdraw the case filed against the Kuwaiti youths.
Furthermore, Al-Tabtabaei thanked the young Kuwaitis for choosing the best candidates in the last elections. He explained the bloc cancelled the reception in honor of the parliamentary election winners slated for Monday at the Boudai Hall in solidarity with the Syrians. He said the Interior Ministry should not deport Syrians involved in the storming of their embassy, considering the situation in their country. He pointed out the case should be forwarded to the court.
Also, Shiite MP Abdul Hamid Dashti intends to grill the prime minister if the government does not punish those who stormed the Syrian Embassy and burned down the electoral tent of MP Mohammad Al-Juwaihal.
On another issue, sources from Wisal TV revealed Saudi Crown Prince and Minister of Interior Nayef Bin Abdulaziz has slapped an entry ban on Al-Juwaihal for allegedly causing unrest among the society’s components.
Al-Juwaihal is known for openly attacking Kuwaiti tribes, including Al-Mutair whose members reside in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The tribe enjoys support from a strong electoral base in Kuwait as five of their candidates emerged victorious in the recently-concluded legislative polls.
Another source revealed the detractors of Al-Juwaihal has accused him of insulting Saudi Arabia and he purportedly dumped a Saudi passport on the ground in front of his supporters. However, his allies vehemently denied the allegation, claiming this is part of a conspiracy against the MP due to his strong criticism and rejection of the dual citizenship — Saudi and Kuwaiti — held by those affiliated to the tribes.
Al-Juwaihal has reportedly urged the interior minister to deport those with dual citizenship, asserting it should not waste time on interrogating these people since it is clear that they have committed a crime.
In yet another development, the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) has agreed, in principle, not to participate in the new government. Sources said the movement wants to work with the opposition in pushing for the implementation of legislative and constitutional reforms.
Sources added the group may consider ministerial posts in the future, but only if the government supports the proposed reforms. Sources disclosed there are indications that the movement will work towards the expansion of the opposition to coordinate parliamentary efforts and to prioritize the most vital issues for the new Parliament to achieve its goals.
Moreover, the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Adel Al-Owaid, on Monday acquitted MP Dr Obaid Al-Wasmi of all the charges filed against him by the State Security in relation to the violent turn of events at the diwaniya of Al-Harbash on Dec 8, 2010.
He was charged with offending the sanctity of the Amir, organizing seminars that threatened security, and spreading false information which may destabilize the nation.
On the other hand, the Criminal Court acquitted 31 Bedouns of participating in the illegal demonstrations in Taima and Sulaibya due to lack of incriminating evidence.