MPs walk out of Kuwait parliament

Kuwait : A fifth of Kuwait's deputies walked out of parliament on Sunday to protest against the composition of a new cabinet, a sign tensions that led to the dissolution of the previous house remain.

The protest came just after a call by the Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah at the inaugural session of parliament for cooperation with the cabinet and an end to the wrangling that had delayed key economic reforms.

"God willing this is a good beginning ... so that issues do not go in a direction other than the one we wish, sidetracking planned development projects in disputes and political crises," Shaikh Sabah told the assembly.

Despite the plea, nine of the 50 elected deputies walked out when the cabinet members took their oath, protesting against the lineup of the appointed government whose members are mostly not elected deputies.

Scarf flap

The protest was also aimed at the failure of two female ministers to wear the hijab. They returned after the two women, Dr. Moudi Al Hamoud and Nouriya Al Subeih, had been sworn in.

Several deputies have complained that the new 15-member cabinet includes too many old faces. "Some deputies had reservations ... and wanted to express this by walking out. This is a message that the government must accept," parliamentarian Hassan Jouhar said.

Shaikh Sabah also said he might dissolve the house again if it did not cooperate with the government.

Warning

"My responsibility at this delicate stage ... after development has been stalled ... requires me to intervene anytime so that national interests do not fall victim to whims, irresponsible practices and narrow personal interests," the Emir said.

Shaikh Sabah also defended the reappointment of Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah and the rest of his 15-member cabinet, which has come under fire from lawmakers, saying this was his prerogative.

"Let it be known to everyone that the appointment of the prime minister and ministers is the emir's exclusive right in line with the constitution and that no one is entitled to interfere in it," the Emir said.