Kuwait threatens to revoke citizenship in crackdown on opposition

                
The Kuwaiti government has threatened to revoke the citizenship of people suspected of trying to "undermine the stability" of the oil-rich monarchy, local media reported on Tuesday.                
The warning is part of an "iron fist" policy adopted by the cabinet on Monday night, following protests earlier this month over the arrest of a prominent opposition politician.                     

"The Interior Ministry is assigned to take all measures that are necessary to ensure the presence of the conditions and requirements provided for by Kuwaiti citizenship law number 15 of 1959, both in form and spirit, and especially in relation to the practices aimed at undermining security and stability," the cabinet said in a statement carried by state news agency KUNA.                

Kuwaiti political analyst Shamlan Alessa said the measure was aimed at naturalized Kuwaitis who have joined the opposition.                 

Nasser Al-Abdaly, who heads an association to promote democracy, said the move was intended to deter people from expressing any opposition to the government.                

Kuwait has suffered bouts of political crisis in recent years amid disputes over election procedures and charges of corruption and mismanagement by former parliament members and opposition politicians against senior government members and loyalists, including members of the ruling family.                

The OPEC member, a close U.S. ally with more than six percent of world oil reserves, has been alarmed by the takeover of large areas of Iraq by Islamist insurgents and other forces.               
Kuwaiti authorities have been investigating an alleged plot to overthrow the Gulf state's ruling system.     


REUTERS