Kuwait's emir swore in a new cabinet that closely resembled its predecessor on Wednesday to take Gulf oil producer into a parliamentary election expected next year. The cabinet appointed on Tuesday by the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, consisted mainly of ministers from the last cabinet, which quit in November amid a deep political crisis in Kuwait. Oil Minister Mohammad al-Busairi and Finance Minister Mustapha al-Shamali retained their posts, as did Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah and Trade Minister Amani Bouresli. Sheikh Ahmed al-Humoud al-Jaber al-Sabah became deputy prime minister, defence minister and interior minister. Apart from the defence ministry, only minor portfolios changed hands. The emir appointed outgoing Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah as new prime minister. The emir also dissolved parliament, citing difficulties in achieving progress, but fixed no date for the new vote, which under constitution must be held within 60 days.
