Kuwait Sees First Political Crisis under New Tenure

 Kuwaiti National Assembly (KUNA)
Kuwaiti National Assembly (KUNA)
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Kuwait Sees First Political Crisis under New Tenure

 Kuwaiti National Assembly (KUNA)
Kuwaiti National Assembly (KUNA)

Amid signs of a political crisis in Kuwait - the first in the new era - the government on Wednesday boycotted a parliamentary session in protest against what is believed to be an implicit insult by one of the deputies while discussing the response to the Emiri’s speech.

After Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmed Al-Saadoun asked to delete the intervention of MP Abdul Karim Al-Kandari from the minutes of the session, a majority of 44 deputies voted against Saadoun’s request, a move that was seen by those demanding the annulment of the intervention as an insult to the Emir, which violates the constitution.

In objection to the National Assembly’s action, the government boycotted a parliamentary session on Wednesday, which forced Saadoun to lift the session due to the ministers’ absence.

Kuwaiti political analyst Dr. Ayed Manna told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government’s withdrawal from Wednesday’s session had “clear negative indicators.”

“It is inconceivable that the government that has just been formed and took the constitutional oath before the National Assembly will be absent,” Manna said, stressing that the Assembly was still discussing the response to the Amiri speech.

Asked whether Article 106 of the Constitution could be activated, giving the head of state the right to suspend Parliament for a month, Manna said: “Resorting to Article 106 of the Constitution, which stipulates postponing sessions for a month, is a valid possibility, and may anticipate an expected crisis as well, if Parliament does not reduce its pressure in certain directions.”

He continued: “I believe that the relationship between the two authorities may be marred by some turmoil, and therefore it must be built on a common vision and program,” stressing that government positions on some parliamentary demands, such as increasing salaries and loans and similar popular requests should not constitute a justification for paralyzing Parliament’s work.



Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
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Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has begun a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, marking his second visit to the region and his first since most international sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The trip, which began in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Damascus’s push to reintegrate economically and diplomatically into the Arab world after more than a decade of isolation.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the tour aims to bolster economic cooperation and attract Gulf investments to support Syria’s national reconstruction and development plans.

Al-Sharaa arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where he was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held official talks focusing on post-war recovery, economic partnership, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria has “turned the page on war and division” and is now focused on building “strategic partnerships” with its Gulf neighbors. He praised the UAE’s role in supporting regional stability and expressed interest in learning from the Emirati model in sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean energy.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for Syria’s efforts to restore stability and rebuild its war-torn economy. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, investment, and technology.