Kuwait’s Long-Time Parliament Speaker Bows Out of Sept. Elections

Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
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Kuwait’s Long-Time Parliament Speaker Bows Out of Sept. Elections

Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)

Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said he would not run in legislative polls this month, a day before the deadline for submission ends.

Kuwait will hold early elections on Sept. 29 after the crown prince appointed a new prime minister and dissolved parliament in a bid to resolve the feud between the Gulf OPEC oil producing country's government and assembly.

Years of political infighting have stalled investment and reform in the country.

Ghanim late on Tuesday announced he would not run in the elections based on "the circumstances and requirements of each phase" and that he planned "a stronger return" in the future.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who took over most of the ruling emir's duties, said when dissolving parliament last month that bickering undermined national unity.

He appointed the emir's son as new prime minister in July after the previous government resigned ahead of a non-cooperation motion in parliament against the former premier.



US Approves Possible Sale of Chinook Helicopters, F-16 Sustainment to UAE

(FILES) A view of the Pentagon, the headquarters building for the US Department of Defense, on August 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP
(FILES) A view of the Pentagon, the headquarters building for the US Department of Defense, on August 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP
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US Approves Possible Sale of Chinook Helicopters, F-16 Sustainment to UAE

(FILES) A view of the Pentagon, the headquarters building for the US Department of Defense, on August 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP
(FILES) A view of the Pentagon, the headquarters building for the US Department of Defense, on August 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and F-16 components and sustainment, along with related equipment, to the United Arab Emirates for a total of $1.457 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday.

The principal contractors for the sale of the helicopters are Boeing Helicopter Aircraft Company and Honeywell Engine Company, the Pentagon said in a statement. No contractors are associated with the F-16 sustainment sale, it said.