Kuwait Emir Asks Outgoing PM to Form Cabinet

The Kuwaiti emir on Monday asked outgoing Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah to form a new government following a general election won by the Islamist-led opposition.

Sheikh Jaber, a senior member of the ruling al-Sabah family, submitted the resignation of his two-month-old cabinet on Sunday, as required by the constitution after a general election.

The premier should form the cabinet before February 15 when the new parliament is scheduled to hold its opening session.

Sheikh Jaber, 69, was appointed premier in late November after prime minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah, a nephew of the emir, quit following a dispute with the opposition and allegations of corruption.

The opposition won 34 seats in the 50-member parliament with Sunni Islamists, including Salafists, becoming the most formidable bloc in the house with 23 members.

Women failed to win a single seat after making history in the 2009 election by winning four seats for the first time. Liberals and pro-government candidates were also big losers in Thursday's poll.