Kuwait re-appoints prime minister after election

Kuwait's ruler reappointed Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah on Tuesday to pick ministers for the Gulf Arab state's new cabinet in another sign that little would change following a parliament election.

Islamists and tribesmen consolidated their hold on Kuwait's parliament in Saturday's poll, dashing prospects of change after long-running rows paralyzed political life and delayed crucial economic reforms.

Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, had dissolved the assembly in March to end the standoff with deputies. But many of the same faces are back in parliament and political sources said they expected Sheikh Nasser, a member of the ruling family, to reappoint many of the same ministers.

The next cabinet will be the fourth headed by 68-year-old Sheikh Nasser, a nephew of the emir, since 2006.

Some lawmakers had already warned against the reappointment of Sheikh Nasser and threatened to resume their campaign of questioning ministers, which had overshadowed legislative efforts in the last assembly.

"Lawmakers will practice their constitutional responsibilities if a new prime minister is not appointed," Islamist MP Waleed al-Tabtabaie told al-Watan newspaper.

With a deputy already threatening to question the interior minister, political sources expect him to be replaced.

The prime minister has always been a member of the ruling al-Sabah family. Key portfolios such as defense, interior and foreign affairs are also held by members of the ruling family.

The emir, who has the last word in politics, is yet to approve members of the government. Sheikh Sabah, who left on Tuesday for a visit to Saudi Arabia, met three former speakers earlier to consult them on the cabinet, KUNA said.

The prime minister must form the new cabinet by June 1, the deadline by which the new assembly must convene.

The cabinet had formally resigned on Monday, as required by the constitution after the elections.

Political sources also expect a second woman to be appointed to the government and a new oil minister to be named.

Kuwait has been without an oil minister since Badr al-Humaidhi resigned just days after his appointment in November, bowing to pressure from hostile deputies. The last permanent oil minister quit in July.

Acting Oil Minister Mohammad al-Olaim will not be reappointed, the al-Jarida daily said in an unsourced report.