Omar Hasan, Agence France Presse  --  Arab News

KUWAIT CITY, 14 March 2004 — Kuwait was mired yesterday in its first serious political crisis since the overthrow of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein almost a year ago as calls mount for the resignation of the country’s finance minister.

The demands on Mahmud Al-Nuri were coming from almost all quarters in the emirate’s outspoken Parliament after the minister was widely considered to have failed to make a convincing defense in 10 hours of questioning on Monday.

The interrogation over charges of squandering public funds concluded with 10 lawmakers, representing various blocs in the house, submitting a no-confidence motion against Nuri. Voting is due to take place on March 22.

But unconfirmed reports said the minister, appointed to the Cabinet only eight months ago, has already submitted his resignation to reformist Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Amad Al-Sabah.

The Cabinet was likely to decide on Nuri’s fate during its weekly session today amid reports Sheikh Sabah, appointed following the separation for the first time of the posts of crown prince and premier, may decide on a reshuffle.

The charges against Nuri were led by Deputy Speaker Mishari Al-Anjari, who advised the minister to quit because he could find only one lawmaker in the 50-member chamber to back him.

Spokesman for the 15-member Islamist bloc Faisal Al-Muslim called on the government to accept Nuri’s resignation and to remove “other Cabinet ministers who cause tension between Parliament and the government.”

Twenty-five votes are needed to dismiss the minister according to the emirate’s constitution, an event that has never happened during 40 years of parliamentary democracy in Kuwait.

Ministers, who are ex-officio members, cast their votes in the house but are barred from voting on no-confidence motions.

Islamist MP Awwad Al-Enezi urged the government to “start focusing on unresolved problems like unemployment, housing and water because the no-confidence issue is over,” an indication that there are enough votes to dismiss Nuri.

But the issue could develop into a major political crisis if the government decides to back Nuri to the end in order not to be seen bowing to parliamentary pressure.

“We are surprised that, instead of trying to resolve urgent problems, MPs are escalating tension with the government,” former minister Ali Al-Baghli said.

“Accountability is an important tool in democracy, but it should be used for key issues not secondary topics. Most of the issues on Nuri’s questioning were non-essential,” Baghli said.

The government also has the option of referring the standoff with Parliament to Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who has powers to dissolve the house and call for fresh elections.

Sheikh Jaber dissolved the National Assembly in 1999 following a political stalemate between government and parliament. He also dissolved the free-wheeling parliament twice before, from 1976 to 1981 and from 1986 to 1992.

Liberal columnist Saud Al-Samakarote wrote in Al-Qabas daily that the duty of “MPs has changed from issuing laws and constructive accountability to blackmail and excessive use of constitutional tools.”

“Sheikh Sabah needs to take decisive measures. We need a government of technocrats and experienced ministers ... We need well-defined plans,” said Baghli, who was oil minister from 1992 to 1996.

Although Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab state to have an elected parliament, key cabinet posts including premier, defense, interior, foreign affairs and oil, in addition to communications, are all occupied by members of the ruling Al-Sabah family.