Lawmakers in Kuwait's outspoken parliament yesterday made a rare call on the long-ailing crown prince to retire as part of reforms within the ruling Al Sabah family. Culminating two days of a heated debate on the government's programme, a number of MPs called for applying the "Emirate Succession Law" which governs changes in the Al Sabah family. Some MPs praised the services of ailing Crown Prince Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah to Kuwait, but still said it would be better for the 73-year-old to retire. "Every Kuwaiti loves the crown prince, the liberation hero," said liberal opposition MP Ali Al Rashed. "But his health condition requires a decision. It is not a shame for the official to rest after performing his duties to his country." State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Sharar said MPs had no right to discuss issues relating to the ruling family.
Rashed responded that it was within his rights to advise the emir for the best interests of the country. "I call for activating the Succession Law in such a way as to safeguard Kuwait and the dignified (ruling) family," MP Abdullah Al Roumi, a moderate opposition member, told the house. MP Adel Al Saraawi said the "contract" between Kuwaitis and the ruling family is a "pledge of loyalty not of submission," and called for a study of the issue within the framework of wider political and economic reforms.
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Shaikh Saad, a cousin of the Amir who became crown prince in 1978, returned home on Thursday after undergoing "successful routine medical checkups" for one month in Britain. He underwent colon surgery in 1997 and has since been regularly visiting Britain for medical examinations and colostomy bag changes treatment. The Amir, His Highness Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, on October 26 made his first public appearance since he returned late September from New York where he underwent routine medical checkups. He suffered a minor brain haemorrhage in 2001.
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The 75-year-old Amir has delegated most of his public duties to his half-brother, Prime Minister Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who took over the premiership last year. Gulf-based diplomats told AFP late September that Shaikh Sabah might be named crown prince in place of the ailing Shaikh Saad. But such plans appear to have been delayed because more time was needed for the settlement of internal family issues with sharp instruments, diplomatic sources said. |