Crisis in Kuwait

Crisis in Kuwait

Kuwait’s Amir has accepted the resignation of the government, and now he may either suspend the parliament for two years or appoint a new prime minister.

March 18, 2009 10:23 by B Izzak

Kuwait appears to be headed for one of its most difficult decisions after the Amir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has accepted the resignation of the government. Lawmakers say that he may either suspend the National Assembly for two years, or use other options like appointing a new prime minister.

Salafist Islamist MP Khaled Al-Sultan said he believes the Assembly will be dissolved “unconstitutionally” for two years and that a decision to this effect will be taken soon. MP Abdullatif Al-Ameeri said that all signals indicate that the Assembly will be suspended and that an action will be taken outside the frame of the constitution. MP Khalaf Dumaitheer pointed out that “indications for a suspension of the Assembly are very clear and I have gathered my belongings (from my Assembly office) and am leaving”.

Dumaitheer blamed the escalation of tension on some MPs and their “excessive practices”, adding that he feels that the Amir’s patience has run out. He also said that the Amir has the power to suspend the Assembly as a way of curbing political chaos.

Shiite MP Hussein Al-Qallaf reiterated his call for suspending the parliament, because a simple dissolution and holding fresh elections “will not resolve the political deadlock in the country.” Qallaf had asked the Amir to suspend the Assembly in November after three Islamist MPs filed to quiz the prime minister, a move that led to the resignation of the Cabinet.

Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, who earlier adjourned the regular Assembly session after informing MPs that the Amir had accepted the government’s resignation, told reporters that he has not been officially informed about the dissolution of the Assembly or a new prime minister. Asked if he was optimistic about the developments, Khorafi said that “it depends on the nature of the decision” regarding the events.

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Tags: amir, decision, government, Kuwait, MP's, national assembly, parliament, political crisis, Prime minister, resigned, suspension