Kuwait: Decision to Dissolve National Assembly Widely Welcomed

A view shows the first parliament session held after elections, in Kuwait City, Kuwait December 15, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A view shows the first parliament session held after elections, in Kuwait City, Kuwait December 15, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
TT

Kuwait: Decision to Dissolve National Assembly Widely Welcomed

A view shows the first parliament session held after elections, in Kuwait City, Kuwait December 15, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A view shows the first parliament session held after elections, in Kuwait City, Kuwait December 15, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

The decision of Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al Sabah to constitutionally dissolve the National Assembly and call for new general elections was widely welcomed by politicians and parliament members.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said in a tweet: “Based on Sharia, the Constitution, and our morals as Kuwaitis, we must rally around the political leadership in what it sees as the supreme interest of the nation, and support and assist it until we take Kuwait to safety.”

In a speech on behalf of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Meshal said: “We have decided to dissolve the National Assembly and call for general elections… The people themselves will have the final word in correcting the political scene by selecting those who properly represent them.”

Former National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Emir of Kuwait and the Crown Prince.

For his part, former MP Musallam Al-Barrak said: “Thank you, Your Highness, you have made a wise decision to preserve Kuwait and its people, and you have fulfilled your oath before God and the people… Peace has settled in the hearts of the people.”

The National Democratic Alliance in Kuwait issued a statement in which it valued the constitutional principles on which the political leadership’s discourse was based, especially with regards to giving the Kuwaiti people the opportunity “to choose their representatives without the interference of the political authority.”

The National Democratic Alliance called on all political parties and the Kuwaiti people “to seize this opportunity to rebuild confidence in our political and democratic institutions and to choose their representatives wisely for the next assembly.”

The Islamic Constitutional Movement said that the crown prince’s speech ended the political impasse in the country.

In a statement, the movement said: “The constitutional dissolution of the National Assembly ends the complete paralysis that afflicted the two authorities, which halted the desired development and disrupted legislation and serious oversight. Returning to the people is the ideal constitutional solution, which affirms that the nation is the source of all powers.”

MP Ali Al-Kattan called on the people to rally behind the Kuwaiti leadership, saying: “Following the speech of His Highness, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, we can only rally around our wise political leadership that puts the interest of Kuwait and its people above everything else.”



Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT

Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks on Tuesday with his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

The officials discussed bilateral ties and cooperation, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and the efforts to address the situation.


'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
TT

'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval, and air defense forces, as well as the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.

Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness, and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.

The exercise focuses on unifying the concept of joint military action, boosting joint operational readiness, and executing and evaluating tactics to address current and emerging threats. It includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures, and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical, and support personnel.

The exercise also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.

Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, the UK and United States.

The Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supports the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities, and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Israel's demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem.

“Saudi Arabia reiterates its rejection of Israeli violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws and holds the international community responsible for addressing these practices” and Israel’s continued crimes against international relief organizations, it said in a statement.

“Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the Palestinian people and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers and facilities,” it urged.