Kuwait's ruler reappointed Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on Tuesday to select ministers for the Gulf Arab state's new cabinet.

Islamists and tribesmen consolidated their hold on Kuwait's parliament in Saturday's election, dashing hopes for change after long-running rows paralysed political life and delayed economic reforms in the major Opec exporter.

Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, dissolved the assembly in March to end the standoff with the government. But many of the same faces are back in parliament and political sources said they expected Sheikh Nasser, a member of the ruling family, to reappoint many of the same ministers.

The cabinet had formally resigned on Monday, as required by the constitution after the election.

The prime minister has always been a member of the ruling Al-Sabah family. Key portfolios such as defence, interior and foreign affairs are also held by members of the ruling family.

With one deputy already threatening to question the interior minister, political sources expect him to be replaced.

They also expect a second woman to be appointed to the government and a new oil minister to be named. The major Opec exporter has been without an oil minister since Badr al-Humaidhi resigned just days after his appointment in November, bowing to pressure from hostile deputies.-Reuters