KUWAIT CITY, May 13, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Kuwait's emir approved a new cabinet

Sunday two days after he dissolved the parliament elected only weeks earlier,
and he and the new government assumed some of the assembly's powers.

Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah on Friday dissolved the most powerful elected
legislature in the Gulf and suspended articles of the constitution, citing
"interference" by lawmakers.

The new government -- the small emirate's 46th -- is headed by Prime Minister
Sheikh Ahmed al-Abdullah al-Sabah and comprises 13 ministers, two of them
women.

The former oil minister was tasked with forming the government last month,
two weeks after the now-dissolved National Assembly was elected.

The outgoing premier, Sheikh Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, had refused to
take up the post again amid ongoing tensions between the government and the
50-member National Assembly.

Kuwait's Islamist-dominated opposition again dominated the most recent
election in early April, maintaining their years-long hold over parliament
which has been in a constant tug-of-war with the government and ruling
family.

MPs have previously accused ministers of corruption, while the government has
accused the legislature of hampering development plans.

Constant wrangling between lawmakers and executive authorities has resulted
in a persistent stalemate in the oil-rich Gulf state, delaying much-needed
reforms.

The decision to dissolve parliament is his second such move in a reign that
is just months old.

Sheikh Meshal assumed the role of emir in December following the death of his
predecessor and half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah.