Political reform must be accelerated in Kuwait, says nephew of Kuwait's ruler

Kuwait: Shaikh Fahad Salem Al Ali Al Sabah, a nephew of Kuwait's ruler, said political reform must be accelerated in the Gulf Arab country, beginning with the removal of the current prime minister.

A senior member of the ruling family and son of the head of Kuwait's national guards, Shaikh Fahad made the rare move of joining protesters earlier this month in a demonstration against Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah.

Although currently without a government portfolio, Shaikh Fahad owns Al Mustaqbal newspaper and the Mubasher television channel, which often cover anti-government protests. He was a prisoner of war during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

"Unfortunately we are heading into a dark tunnel... I went out with the protesters because I share and believe in their calls for change and reforms," Shaikh Fahad told Reuters in an interview in Kuwait City's Qurtuba Palace.

Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser, who is currently heading his seventh government since his appointment by Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah in 2006, has undergone fierce criticism from Kuwaiti opposition for what they say is his failure to fulfil the demands of the people.

"If the emir does not find a person from the family who is capable of being the prime minister and meets the demands of Kuwaiti citizens, I suggest that he chooses from outside the family," Shaikh Fahad said, as he sat in one of the palace's dewaniyas, or reception rooms.

The Emir, who has final say in Kuwaiti politics, appoints the prime minister, who has always been from the Al Sabah family.

Shaikh Fahad said Arab leaders should learn from the overthrow of the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia in popular uprisings that modest attempts at reform were not enough.

"Now I think that any Arab leader who wants to remain in his position and preserve his country's future should start changing according to the demands of his people, and not according to what he thinks...the era of guardianship is over now."

Infighting not real problem

Kuwait, the world's fourth largest oil exporter, is home to the region's most outspoken parliament, which has triggered several government reshuffles and resignations, the latest of which was the resignation of a deputy prime minister, also another senior member of the Al Sabah family.

A rift between several senior members of the ruling family, including the prime minister, is causing political paralysis, according to accounts in several local newspapers.

"This government was not even capable of meeting ten percent of the demands of Kuwaiti people... and their only solution was to blame it on what they called conflicts within the ruling family," said Shaikh Fahad, who headed the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources from 2001 to 2006.

Despite its elected parliament, the Gulf Arab state bans political parties, but tolerates loose political blocs.

Kuwait's 50-member elected parliament enjoys the freedom of questioning cabinet members and criticising their performance, besides routine legislative duties.

Shaikh Fahad also lent his support to protesters in Bahrain. "I support the demands of the Bahraini people for political and social corrections and for equality among citizens... but I am totally against any outside interference... whether it is Saudi Arabia or Iran," Shaikh Fahad said.