Liberals, smaller tribes win seats in Kuwait vote after boycott KUWAIT (Reuters) - Liberals and candidates from some of Kuwait's more marginalized tribes have won seats in a parliament which may prove more cooperative with the ruling family after opposition Islamists and populists boycotted the election. Saturday's ballot was the sixth since 2006 in the major oil producer, where political upheaval and bureaucracy have held up the vast majority of projects in a 30-billion-dinar ($105-billion) economic development plan announced in 2010. "The large number of new MPs gives hope that a National Assembly with greater popular backing can find a way of improving relations with the government," said Gulf expert Kristian Ulrichsen, at the U.S.-based Baker Institute for Public Policy, referring to a 12 percent higher turnout than last time. "The increased turnout signals that many Kuwaitis are ready to put the recent past behind them and move forward," Ulrichsen said. In accordance with Kuwait's legislation, the outgoing cabinet approved a draft decree inviting new lawmakers to hold their first parliamentary session on August 6, state news agency KUNA said. The outgoing prime minister has also sent the government's letter of resignation to the emir, as is the norm following a new parliamentary vote. The turnout in searing heat and during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan was still lower than in several elections before 2012 when about 60 percent of voters cast ballots. "The country is reeling from the deterioration of services and we need to treat the wounds to start a new phase with genuine cooperation between the two authorities," new MP Issa al-Kandari said, referring to the government and parliament. Newly-elected Kamel al-Awadi said he would "work on all projects that move the economy forward" including housing and infrastructure projects. Many of these were touted in the 2010 development plan and have not been delivered. Opposition politicians said this would prevent them forming a majority in parliament. Shi'ites - estimated at 20-30 percent of the population - won just eight seats in the 50-member parliament compared to 17 in the last election in December, after Sunnis in their districts ramped up a campaign to win seats. Before the election the ruling emir courted groups unhappy about the new voting system and encouraged several of the country's socially conservative tribes to endorse the ballot. Campaign themes have included fighting corruption, loan relief and concern over Kuwait's $4 billion aid package to Egypt after the military overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. Kuwait and other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were glad to see Mursi deposed because they fear Islamist influence in their own dynastically ruled states. Additional reporting by Ahmed Hagagy and Mahmoud Harby; Editing by Louise Ireland and Sami Aboudi