Kuwait's ruler calls for unity after parliament feudBy the CNN Wire Staff

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http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/16/kuwait.unrest/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Kuwait's ruler calls for unity after parliament feudBy the CNN Wire Staff

June 16, 2011 8:23 a.m. EDT

(CNN) -- The ruler of Kuwait called on his countrymen Wednesday to resist those

who wanted to spread " chaos " as the nation grapples with feuding politicians and

activists demand rights for non-citizens.

" This is a national awakening call, particularly to youth, to help protect

national unity that guarantee for Kuwait security and constants, " Sheikh Sabah

Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said in a Wednesday night speech to the nation.

Earlier this week, the country's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs

resigned over what some observers called a power struggle with the prime

minister.

In May, a fistfight broke out between Shia and Sunni lawmakers on the parliament

floor.

And in March, Kuwait's cabinet resigned.

In addition, the country was rattled by protests in February when more than

1,000 protesters clashed with security forces, demanding greater rights for

longtime residents who are not citizens of the country.

The crowd -- initially 300 people before quickly growing -- was attacked with

water cannons.

Kuwait has been wrestling with the question of rights for non-citizen residents

for decades. The country is believed to have roughly 100,000 residents who are

not citizens.

" The opportunity should never be allowed to those who want to spread chaos and

fights in the country because this will only threaten Kuwait's security, " the

emir said in his Wednesday speech.