Motion filed against Kuwait PM

Manama: Ten Kuwaiti members of parliament (MPs) have filed a non-cooperation motion against incumbent Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah following his grilling on Tuesday.

The move could lead to the dismissal of the premier or dissolution of parliament.

A non-cooperation motion needs to be filed by at least 10 MPs and subsequently endorsed by the parliament before it is presented to the Emir, Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah.

Two MPs supporting and two MPs opposing the motion need to highlight their arguments before the parliament decides whether to proceed with it.

Once the motion reaches the Emir, he either replaces the prime minister or dissolves parliament. In March, the Emir dissolved the parliament and called a legislative election to prevent the questioning of the premier.

Explanation

MP Dr Faisal Al Muslim, who had asked to grill Shaikh Nasser, the Emir's nephew, on allegations of financial irregularities in his court had 90 minutes to highlight the reasons for his request.

Shaikh Nasser then had 30 minutes to answer the charges.

The session was later suspended for 15 minutes to give the MPs time to pray.

In the second round, both Al Muslim and Shaikh Nasser had 30 minutes to explain their stands.

The unprecedented quizzing took place behind closed doors after the government's call for secrecy was supported by 40 ministers and lawmakers, while 23 voices called for a public session.