Kuwait's new ruler sworn in



By Omar Hasan
AFP
KUWAIT CITY
Petroleumworld.com 01 30 06

Kuwait's new ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah was sworn in Sunday as the emir of the oil-rich Gulf state, following an unprecedented political crisis which has divided the ruling family.

The parliament had confirmed earlier in the day Sheikh Sabah as the new emir following last week's ousting of Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah for health reasons.

"I swear to respect the constitution and the state laws, and to protect the people ... the independence of the homeland and the integrity of its territory," he said as he took oath in front of the emirate's legislators.

"Today, we turn a new page of the history of Kuwait... We look forward to a promising future," he told MPs.

The fifty members of the parliament, in addition to the 14 members of the cabinet -- excluding the PM himself -- had unanimously voted for Sheikh Sabah as the country's new ruler.

Ousted Sheikh Saad, who was the country's crown prince, had automatically become the emir of Kuwait after the death of his predecessor Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on January 15.

The Gulf state became embroiled in its most serious domestic political crisis before the elected parliament deposed Sheikh Saad in an unprecedented vote that made Sheikh Sabah the undisputed leader of the major oil producer.

During a 10-day crisis prompted by the death of one emir and his succession by an ailing one, Sheikh Sabah was given a clear mandate by the Al-Sabah ruling family, the elected parliament, the local press and the business community.

Sunday's unanimous vote came amid parliamentary calls to appoint a new crown prince and a prime minister, and to speed up reforms.

"What is requested now is the appointing of a crown prince, even before appointing a prime minister, because this is the most important post to (guarantee) Kuwait's stability," liberal MP Mohammad Jassem al-Saqer said.

"I call upon the emir to appoint a crown prince immediately," he added, addressing the parliament.

Another liberal MP, Ali al-Rashid called upon Sheikh Sabah to "continue separating the posts of the crown prince and the prime minister."

The posts were split in 2003 when Sheikh Sabah was himself appointed premier due to the ill-health of Sheikh Saad, who was then crown prince and prime minister.

The appointment of a new prime minister is the most immediate task for Sheikh Sabah as he has a year before he must appoint a new crown prince.

The constitution gives the emir the sole authority of appointing both his heir apparent and the prime minister. He also has a the final word on the selection of cabinet ministers.

Many legislators demanded more reforms to be implemented in the new era.
"Reform should be the title of this (new) era. No one should be above the law," Shiite Hasan Jawhar told his fellow MPs.

Sheikh Sabah, described as a liberal-leaning statesman, was the main force behind enfranchising women and the introduction of laws that attracted foreign investors, in addition to a modern press bill still being considered by parliament.

Kuwait sits on 10 percent of the world's proven oil reserves and has a native population of just under one million, in addition to 1.9 million foreigners.

AFP 01/28/06

Copyright © 2006 AFP. All rights reserved

 

 

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