Kuwait’s Amir asks govt to stay on, prepare for elections

Kuwait’s new Amir has asked the cabinet to carry on its duties and prepare for parliamentary elections due this year after the prime minister handed in his government’s resignation, state news agency Kuna reported yesterday.
Parliament, which must approve the Amir’s choice of crown prince, will end its term on Oct 8, Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim later said in remarks broadcast on state television.
Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah met Amir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who assumed power last week, and in line with the constitution submitted the government’s resignation “to ensure ministerial responsibilities are held by those who enjoy the Amir’s confidence”, Kuna said.
It said Sheikh Nawaf expressed his full confidence in the current cabinet, which was formed last December.
Sheikh Nawaf, 83, took the helm of the Opec member state following the death of his brother Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah last Tuesday aged 91.
The parliament speaker said if the Amir names a crown prince today, then he would call a session for tomorrow morning.
If there is no announcement, then parliament would vote on the candidate at an extraordinary session. Al-Ghanim said the body would hold two sessions today, one to honour the late Amir and another to finalise pending items.