January 25, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 24, 1426

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 24: Kuwait’s cabinet named Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as new Amir on Tuesday, hours after parliament voted the state’s ruler out of office on health grounds.

Sheikh Sabah, 76, is due to take the oath of office in parliament next week, concluding one of the gravest crises in the Gulf state’s history that saw Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah deposed after barely a week in power.

“The council of ministers named Sheikh Sabah Amir of the country, and this nomination will be referred to the National Assembly (parliament),” for confirmation in line with Kuwaiti law, Justice Minister Ahmad Baqer told AFP following an emergency cabinet meeting.

Information Minister Anas al-Rashid also said Sheikh Sabah was nominated as “successor to the 14th Emir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.”

Baqer said the swearing-in will take place either on Sunday or Monday.

In a day of high drama, parliament completed the ousting of the Amir just before a long-awaited letter of abdication from the ruler was brought to the chamber by his son.

The parliament transferred his powers temporarily to the government.

“In the absence of a crown prince, the council of ministers will exercise the functions of head of state pending the choice of an Amir, under article 4 of the constitution and article 4 of the inheritance law,” said Speaker Jassem al-Khorafi.

He said the vote was taken after the house ascertained from a medical report that Sheikh Saad’s poor health did not enable him to rule.

“Members of parliament voted unanimously to remove the Amir from office,” said MP Mohammad Jassem al-Saqr, who said a letter of abdication by Sheikh Saad was received immediately after the vote.

Mr Khorafi confirmed that the letter of abdication was received right after the vote by all 65 members of parliament, who include 16 cabinet ministers.

A two-thirds majority was needed to oust the Amir.—AFP