Kuwait — Kuwait's ruler reappointed Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah as prime minister on Wednesday and asked him to form a government, the state news agency KUNA said, after a parliamentary election boycotted by the opposition.

The Gulf Arab state's ruler, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, issued the order by decree. Under constitutional rules, Sheikh Jaber must form a cabinet before the first session of the new parliament on December 16. The old cabinet quit on Monday.

Besides, Kuwait's Interior Ministry said it would take all necessary measures to prevent "unauthorised assembly" in the Gulf Arab state after dispersing protesters it said threw stones and tried to mow down police with cars.

Police have broken up a series of snap demonstrations outside the capital since Saturday, part of protests triggered by changes to voting rules the opposition said were designed to skew elections in favour of pro-government candidates.