Kuwaitis who suffered under Iraqi occupation are putting the ruling Al-Sabah family on notice that promised elections are only the first step in a long list of needed reforms.
"The Kuwaitis paid a lot for this crisis. Now they are aware that we need solutions to build a strong Kuwait," said Saad Al-Hashim, dean of education at Kuwait University.Forced to fend for themselves when their leaders fled, many Kuwaitis who stayed behind are no longer willing to put up with the ruling monarchy.
"The royal family is a symbol of Kuwait. They should be there, but the people of Kuwait should rule now," said Safa Jafar, a 30-year-old Kuwaiti woman who helped smuggle weapons past check points.
Besides calls to reconvene Parliament, which was dissolved in 1986, many Kuwaitis also are demanding public input in choosing Cabinet ministers, ending discrimination of the Shiite Muslim minority, more press freedom and open discussion of public policy.