Middle East News
Islamist-led opposition sweeps Kuwaiti parliamentary polls
Feb 3, 2012, 9:10 GMT
Cairo - An Islamist-led opposition has won 68 per cent in Kuwait's fourth parliamentary election in six years, regional broadcaster Al Arabiya announced Friday.
The opposition won 34 seats in the 50-member assembly, in which female candidates failed to win a single seat.
The winning alliance had vowed in pre-poll campaigning to combat corruption and expose what they described as government loyalists bent on blocking reforms in the oil-rich country.
The opposition had only 20 seats in the previous assembly.
Thursday's election was preceded by incidents of violence and acrimony. On Tuesday, at least 17 people were injured when riot police clashed with protesters attempting to storm the private television station Al-Watan, after it interviewed a pro-government contender.
In December, ruler Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved parliament following an opposition outcry over an alleged bribery scam and a youth-led attack on the parliament building.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
