Kuwait's emir dissolves parliament; elections to be held within months

Kuwait's emir dissolves parliament; elections to be held within months

2011-12-07 07:04:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

KUWAIT CITY (BNO NEWS) -- The emir of Kuwait on Tuesday dissolved parliament amid an ongoing crisis over allegations of corruption, the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued the decree to dissolve parliament, citing 'deteriorating conditions' as the reason. The decision paves the way for elections, which must be held within 60 days, according to KUNA.


"Due to the deteriorating conditions that led to obstruction of process of achievements and threatened the country's higher interests, it became necessary to resort to the people to select their representatives, overcome existing obstacles and realize national interests," the emir stated.

The dissolution of parliament comes less than a week after the emir named Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as the new prime minister. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah submitted his resignation on November 27, claiming that the "negative practices" of some members of Parliament have obstructed the national action process.
  

The premier also condemned "MPs' actions of inciting the masses, sowing seeds of sedition and hatred among the various segments of the Kuwaiti society." "Therefore, under these circumstances, it has become impossible for the government to pursue shouldering its responsibilities and fulfilling duties," he added.

His resignation came less than two weeks after opposition-led protests turned violent when hundreds of demonstrators stormed Parliament. Shortly after the clashes, the emir ordered the National Guard and the Interior Ministry forces to take all "necessary measures" to end chaos in the country.

The opposition pledged to continue supporting youth activists regardless of the price they might pay. They warned the "corrupt government" against any attempt to establish a police state or undermine the democratic system in the country.

Protests have taken place across Kuwait throughout the year, since before the so-called Arab Spring. However, protests against government corruption have recently increased.

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