Kuwaiti opposition rallies for dissolving parliament

Hundreds of Kuwait opposition supporters demonstrated on Sunday to demand the dissolution of the parliament elected last month in general polls boycotted by almost all political groups, witnesses said. Carrying orange flags, protesters marched on the streets of Sabah Al-Nasser, a predominantly tribal area just southwest of Kuwait City, and also chanted slogans demanding political reforms. The rally ended peacefully and police did not interfere. Last week, riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades and arrested over 70 activists while dispersing a similar protest. "This is a parliament of shame," said leading opposition figure and former MP Mussallam al-Barrak who led the evening protest. Several former opposition MPs also took part. Protesters also raised banners calling for an elected government. The opposition has been staging demonstrations in protest against a government amendment to the key electoral law which it says allows the government to impact the outcome of an election. But the authorities went ahead and held an election on December 1 which was boycotted by Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition groups and which resulted in a predominantly pro-government parliament.