Tensions emerge at first Kuwait parliament session

By Eman Goma

KUWAIT, May 31 (Reuters) - Almost a fifth of Kuwait's newly elected members of parliament walked out of Sunday's first session to protest against the new cabinet line-up, a sign that tensions that had almost paralysed lawmaking were still alive.

The emir of the major OPEC oil exporter, who dissolved the previous house in March after some lawmakers tried to question the prime minister, reappointed his nephew Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah to head the new cabinet.

Nine members walked out of parliament after the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, urged it to cooperate with the cabinet. Five others boycotted the session.

"At this delicate stage ... there is no time for anything but ... hard work, where it will not be helpful or possible to allow more setbacks and everyone continuing to feel worried and frustrated," Sheikh Sabah told parliament before the walkout.

"I will be in close attendance and observe the performance of both parliament and cabinet, following up on the work of each."

Although Sunni Islamists, who had long dominated the assembly, lost about half their seats to Shi'ites and liberals, analysts said the changes were not enough to end a long-running standoff with the government.

The new cabinet is the sixth headed by Sheikh Nasser, 69, since 2006.

Continuing tensions could block ratification of key legislation, including a $5 billion economic stimulus package which had faced resistance in the old parliament and was adopted by the government after the legislature was dissolved.