Kuwait approves new government amid political crisis

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.

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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.

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