KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s government handed in its resignation on Thursday, as a fresh political crisis brewed in the oil-rich emirate, State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Rudhan Al-Rudhan announced.
In a step unrelated to revolts in the Arab world, it was the sixth cabinet led by Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to resign since his naming five years ago, during which time three parliaments have been dissolved.
"The Kuwaiti cabinet submitted its resignation today at an extraordinary meeting," Rudhan told state news agency KUNA.
The move comes after MPs filed motions to question three ministers who are senior members of Kuwait’s Al-Sabah ruling family, over a variety of allegations ranging from corruption to failure to perform their duties.
Liberal MPs Adel Al-Saraawi and Marzouk Al-Ghanem have filed to grill the deputy premier for economic affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, in connection with corruption charges over contracts worth $900 million.
Also this week, Shia MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan started moves to question Information and Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah, and MP Saleh Ashour demanded to grill Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Sabah.
The cabinet’s resignation also coincided with a Kuwaiti opposition campaign for the resignation and replacement of the premier, Sheikh Nasser, a nephew of the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Kuwait’s last election was held in May 2009.
