Kuwait opposition to stage post-poll demo

The Kuwaiti opposition is to stage a demonstration at the weekend to protest against the new parliament which was elected amid a huge boycott, AFP reports citing organisers. "In respect for the will of the nation and to reaffirm its determination to continue until it has regained its sovereignty, we announce the staging of 'A Dignity of a Nation 4' procession on December 8," they said on Twitter. The opposition held three huge demonstrations in the run-up to last Saturday's election to protest the electoral law amendment which they charged would enable the government to control the outcome. Following the results of Saturday's polls, the opposition vowed to continue with street protests until the new parliament is abolished and the disputed amendment to Kuwait's electoral law scrapped. The cabinet of the oil-rich Gulf state is expected to resign later on Monday in accordance with the constitution to allow for the formation of a new cabinet following the election. In the first two demonstrations, riot police dispersed the protesters by force, slightly wounding around 150 people, while the third last Friday passed off peacefully after authorities permitted it. A pro-government parliament was elected as no opposition figures contested the polls. The Shiite minority emerged the main victors by bagging a record 17 seats while the three biggest bedouin tribes, with a population of over 400,000 people, were the main losers with just one seat. No official turnout figure was released, but the opposition said it was only 26.7 percent while the information ministry said 40.3 percent based on a report by an international observer team.