Kuwait re-appoints prime minister

Sheikh Nasser resigned after facing demands from MPs to question him

Kuwait's emir has reappointed the outgoing PM Sheikh Nasser al-Sabah and asked him to form a new cabinet.

The announcement came three weeks after the government resigned in a dispute with members of parliament.

MPs had demanded the chance to grill the PM about a visit by an Iranian Shia cleric and alleged mismanagement and corruption by ministers.

But the resignation of the government meant no questioning or a possible impeachment vote could take place.

Sheikh Nasser has been accused of intervening to help the controversial Shia Muslim cleric visit Kuwait, even though he had been convicted by a Kuwaiti court of insulting the companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Correspondents say the issue is sensitive in the predominantly Sunni Muslim emirate of Kuwait.

There have been many previous confrontations between the government and members of parliament.