Kuwait cabinet expected to be formed on Monday

Manama: Three days before Kuwait's newly-elected parliament convenes for the first time, the formation of the new cabinet is facing challenges after three political blocs have insisted on not joining the government.

However, Prime Minister Shaikh Jaber Al Mubarak did not lose hope that the Salafists, the Popular Coalition and the Hadas, Islamist movement, might reconsider their positions, reports in Kuwait said.

Shaikh Jaber hopes that the cabinet will be formed by Monday and that the ministers will take the oath before the Emir on Tuesday on time for the opening of the parliament on Wednesday.

Al Qabas daily reported that Shaikh Jaber had informed some lawmakers that he would submit a letter to the Emir if people kept turning down the invitation to join the government.

MP Mohamamd Al Kandari said that the Salafists were most likely to review their objection to participation and that they would eventually agree to join the cabinet, particularly after their talks with Shaikh Jaber.

With a large representation in parliament, Islamists have been keen on using their potential to press for changes at several political and constitutional levels.

However, two political groups, the National Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Tribune on Sunday issued a statement condemning the use of political Islam to target the civil society.

"We totally reject the use of the constitution as a bargaining chip in politics," the statement said. "We do welcome amendments to the constitution, but they should to be to increase freedoms. Other than this purpose, we do not accept it, especially Article Two, as it will mean the death of the civil state built on the diversification of religions and sects."

The amendments will also be used to enable a theocratic regime to replace the democratic state, the statement said.