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Kuwait ruler says election changes loom

October 19, 2012 | Modified: October 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm
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Photo - In this Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 photo, Kuwaitis protest at Erada Square in Kuwait. For years, opposition lawmakers in Kuwait's parliament have been the most aggressive and combative in the Gulf routinely demanding the prime minister and others face questioning over alleged corruption and abuses of power. Now, with a political crisis deepening over parliament and upcoming elections, Kuwait's rising anti-government forces are applying even greater pressure on the Western-allied ruling system. (AP Photo/Gustavo Ferrari)
In this Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 photo, Kuwaitis protest at Erada Square in Kuwait. For years, opposition lawmakers in Kuwait's parliament have been the most aggressive and combative in the Gulf routinely demanding the prime minister and others face questioning over alleged corruption and abuses of power. Now, with a political crisis deepening over parliament and upcoming elections, Kuwait's rising anti-government forces are applying even greater pressure on the Western-allied ruling system. (AP Photo/Gustavo Ferrari)

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Kuwait's ruler says he will amend the nation's election rules that give an apparent edge to Islamist-led opposition groups.

Sheik Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah said Friday that the new rules will be announced in the coming days. He then must set a date for parliamentary elections.

Any changes to the voting districts will likely bring strong backlash from groups trying to weaken the controls of the Western-backed ruling family.

Political tensions have risen in Kuwait amid pressures from opposition groups. In February, Islamists and allies took control of the 50-seat parliament, the most powerful among the Gulf Arab states.

But lawmakers fell into conflict with the ruling family in a deepening political crisis. The emir officially dissolved the chamber earlier this month, opening the path for new elections.

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