Kuwait's crown prince back amid ruling family crisis

The crown prince of Kuwait Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah returned to his country from Britain after he had underwent medical tests lasted for two months.

The Kuwaiti authorities have not yet issued any information on the health condition of Sheikh Saad (75 years old) who was admitted repeatedly to hospital in Kuwait, Britain and the USA since he had an operation in the colon in 1997.

The return back of Sheikh Saad coincided with his expected giving up of his post for the current prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in order to end the crisis inside al-Sabah family which it has been suffering over differences since a long time.

Several days ago, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad won full confidence from his half brother, the ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah after he was indirectly criticized by the "chief" of the family and chairman of the national guards Sheikh Salem al-Ali al-Sabah.

Sheikh Salem had called for the formation of a three member committee including senior figures in the family in order to help the prince and the crown prince and in order to monitor the constitutionality of measures and decisions taken by the government.

According to the constitution, the ruler of Kuwait enjoys vast authorities in appointing and removing the crown prince. But his decisions have to be ratified by the elected parliament. The constitution states that the grand children of Mubarak al-Kabeer who ruled Kuwait from 1896- 1915, of females, are the one who can rule the country.

The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber ( 77 year old) who has been ruling Kuwait since 29 years suffered in September 2001 a brain hemorage and spent this year two months in hospital in the USA where he had surgery in the leg. Al- Sabah family has been ruling Kuwait since 250 years.