Kuwait

Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country nestling at the top of the Gulf, flanked by large or powerful neighbours - Saudi Arabia to the south, Iraq to the north and Iran to the east.

Its oil fields were first exploited in the 1930s, and since the development of the petroleum industry after World War II and independence in 1961, oil has dominated the economy, making up around 90% of export revenues.

In 1991, the country was the scene of a massive US-led international military campaign to oust Iraqi forces, which had invaded the year before. Operation Desert Storm saw their eventual removal, but Kuwait's infrastructure was left in bad shape and had to be rebuilt. Oil exports stopped for a time.

Twelve years later, Kuwait played host to another massive military presence as thousands of soldiers massed on the Iraqi border for the US-led campaign in 2003 to disarm and oust the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. It remains an important transit route for forces and civilians moving in and out of Iraq.

Kuwait was the first Arab country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament. Moves to change the male-dominated political structure culminated in the granting of full political rights to women in 2005.

In 1999 the country's then ruler, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, issued a decree giving women full political rights, but the move was narrowly defeated in the National Assembly.

In May 2005 parliament gave women the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections for the 50-seat National Assembly.

More generally, the growing assertiveness of parliament has led to frequent confrontations with the government. Between 2007-9, three cabinets resigned in as many years amid disputes with the National Assembly.

Kuwait has faced a recent spate of militant violence. Security forces have clashed with Islamist militants, some of whom are alleged to have links with Al-Qaeda. The authorities say extremist groups have plotted attacks on Western targets.

Full name: The State of Kuwait Population: 3.1 million (UN, 2010) Capital: Kuwait Area: 17,818 sq km (6,880 sq miles) Major language: Arabic Major religion: Islam Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Dinar = 1000 fils Main exports: Oil GNI per capita: US $43,930 (World Bank, 2009) Internet domain: .kw International dialling code: +965

Emir: Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah

Sheikh Sabah succeeded Sheikh Saad, who ruled for just nine days after Sheikh Jaber died on 15 January 2006 having spent more than 25 years on the throne.

Sheikh Sabah has been running day-to-day business for years

Parliament voted Sheikh Saad out of office because of his ill health.

Sheikh Sabah had been running Kuwait's day-to-day affairs for years. He became prime minister in 2003 when concern grew about the health of his predecessor in the post, Sheikh Saad.

Observers expect him to maintain Kuwait's pro-Western stance and to pursue reforms; his government appointed Kuwait's first woman minister and he introduced laws which opened the door to foreign investors.

The new emir moved quickly to name his brother as crown prince and his nephew as prime minister. The jobs, traditionally held by one individual, were separated in 2003.

The appointment of the crown prince also broke with the tradition of alternating power between rival branches of the Sabah dynasty.

Born in 1929, Sheikh Sabah was Kuwait's foreign minister for 40 years. Although he had a heart pacemaker fitted in 1999, he is said to be in good health.

His predecessor, the late Sheikh Jaber, suffered several years of ill health following a minor stroke in 2001. He became emir in 1977, having been prime minister from 1965-78 and heir-apparent from 1966. He survived an assassination attempt in 1985 and the 1990 Iraqi invasion.

Members of the ruling family hold most of the key cabinet posts.

Kuwait holds first place among Gulf states with regard to press freedom, Reporters Without Borders said in its 2010 report.

Kuwaiti newspapers are often aggressive in their coverage of the government

But restraint is exercised when covering matters relating to the emir and senior royals.

A press law forbids references to God and the Prophet that are deemed insulting. Criticism of the emir, the constitution, the judiciary and the "basic convictions of the nation" is prohibited. Courts can prescribe prison sentences for defamation and "attacks" on religion.

State-owned TV and radio operate alongside private broadcasters. Pan-Arab satellite stations are widely watched.

Newspaper publishers must have licences from the Ministry of Information. The ministry censors books, films, periodicals and other imported publications deemed morally offensive.

BBC World Service is available on FM in Kuwait City (in Arabic on 90.1, English on 100.1).

Kuwait had 1.1 million internet users by June 2010 (InternetWorldStats). A pervasive filtering system blocks content deemed immoral or politically-sensitive. Internet cafe owners must obtain the names, ID numbers of customers.

Blogs have evolved from tackling local community and social issues to discussion of news and politics.

The press

Television

Radio

Radio Kuwait - state-run, programmes in English and Arabic Marina FM - first private radio station, music-based

News agency

View the original article here