Kuwait's ruler names new govt. without major changes

PanARMENIAN.Net - Kuwait's ruler has named a new Cabinet that makes no major changes in membership and reinstates the finance minister who resigned earlier this year under pressure from opposition lawmakers, The Associated Press reports.

The failure to make even nominal changes is seen as a slap at the opposition. It comes less than two weeks after parliamentary elections boycotted by anti-government factions, including hard-line Islamists, in protest over change to the voting law. The Dec 1 election brought in a strongly pro-government parliament, but opposition groups stage near daily protests in the oil-rich Gulf nation.

The official Kuwait News Agency said the new government keeps the incumbent prime minister, oil minister, and other top officials. It restores Mustafa al-Shamali to the finance job. He resigned in May after facing questions about alleged corruption.