Kuwait Drops Interior Ministry’s Legal Charges against 38 Opposition MPs

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Drops Interior Ministry’s Legal Charges against 38 Opposition MPs

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)

Kuwait dropped on Tuesday the Interior Ministry’s legal charges against several opposition MPs for flouting coronavirus preventive measures.

Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah said the political leadership ordered that the charges filed by the ministry against the 38 lawmakers be dropped.

The political leadership stressed the importance of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to confront all challenges, underling the need to respect the constitution, laws and health precautions, he added.

The PM expressed his gratitude to Emir Sheikh Nawaf a-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and Crown Prince Mishal al-Ahmad for ordering that the charges be dropped.

The opposition was outraged after the lawmakers, who make up 57 percent of the National Assembly, were referred to the general prosecution for breaching health and social distancing regulations.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said he was summoned for violating the regulations in wake of the announcement of the results of the December parliamentary elections.

In remarks to the press, he added that he believes that the summons was just, stressing that no one was above the law.

He underlined the need to respect the constitution that all lawmakers swore to uphold.

“If we breached the health rules or any other law, then we must be held accountable,” he stated.

Tensions have been growing between the government and opposition after the Constitutional Court annulled on Sunday the membership of MP Bader Zayed Al-Dahoum for insulting the Emir.



Emirati, Israeli Foreign Ministers Discuss De-escalation in Gaza

Emirati Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (WAM) 
Emirati Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (WAM) 
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Emirati, Israeli Foreign Ministers Discuss De-escalation in Gaza

Emirati Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (WAM) 
Emirati Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (WAM) 

Emirati Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed on Sunday with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest regional developments, particularly the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, also addressed regional and international efforts to resume a truce agreement, achieve a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed the priority of working towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as well as the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict in the region.

He affirmed the UAE’s support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at protecting civilians and enhancing the response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Sheikh Abdullah also reiterated the urgent need to advance a serious political horizon for the resumption of negotiations to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

The Deputy PM emphasized the importance of ending extremism, rising tensions and violence in the region, and called for the international community to join efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the region’s peoples for security, stability and a dignified life, according to the Emirati official news agency, WAM.

Sheikh Abdullah pointed to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which necessitates exerting every effort to ensure the safe, sustainable and unhindered flow of urgent humanitarian aid.

He reaffirmed the UAE’s longstanding fraternal and historic stance in support of the Palestinian people, underlining the country’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, WAM said.

He noted that his country would spare no effort in extending assistance and providing the necessary humanitarian support to meet the Palestinians needs.

“There is a pressing priority of bolstering regional and international efforts to confront extremism, hatred and racism, and of promoting collective international action to spread the values of tolerance, coexistence and human fraternity in the region, which are fundamental pillars for building safe, stable and prosperous societies,” he said.