Kuwait Youth Group Calls for Deep Reforms

Kuwaiti youth activists called on Sunday for major reforms to turn the oil-rich emirate into a constitutional monarchy, including the appointment of a premier from outside the Al-Sabah ruling family.

The previously unknown September 16 Youths group also called for the dismissal of the current government, the dissolution of parliament and the holding of fresh elections.

The group called for "achieving the constitutional monarchy, (under which) the al-Sabah family will have the emir and crown prince as stipulated by the constitution."

"And the (Kuwaiti) people will have the right to run the affairs of the state and the government," added the group, which called a rally for Friday to press the demands.

The group has launched an account on Twitter on which it has been urging people to attend Friday's rally.

Kuwait was the first Arab state in the Gulf to establish an elected legislature in 1962, and the 50-seat parliament enjoys considerable legislative and monitoring powers.

But the al-Sabah family remained in control of most key cabinet posts, including the premiership and the so-called sovereign ministries of defense, interior and foreign affairs.

The September 16 Youths also called for reform of the electoral system, with the appointment of an independent electoral commission and changes to constituency boundaries.

The Gulf emirate has been rocked by a series of political disputes over the past five years, stalling development plans despite abundant financial surpluses amounting to $300 billion.