Kuwait Struggles With Leadership Crisis

"KUWAIT CITY (AP) - The ruling family in Kuwait, one of Washington's most steadfast allies in the Middle East and a major oil producer, is struggling with an unprecedented public quarrel over who will lead the country after the death of its longtime leader.

One faction backs the ailing new emir and the other - including the Cabinet - supports the prime minister, half brother to the previous leader, who died Jan. 15. The controversy was sent Monday to parliament for debate.

If the legislature ends up deciding the leadership question, it would be the first time that has happened since Kuwait's constitution was adopted in 1962.

The men's backers raced to get their cases before parliament, where lawmakers were to open debate Tuesday on a resolution by the Cabinet - which backs Prime Minister Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah - declaring that because of his illness, the new emir "has lost the ability to perform his constitutional duties."

Timing of the debate was critical because the new emir, Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, was scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday evening. Sheik Saad, as crown prince, automatically became emir upon the death of his cousin."
MyWay

Boy if I was al-Queda I would not pass up on this one. I would be there on the ground ready to spark the flames of discontent.