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.



Saudi Arabia Rejects Israeli Maps that Annex Parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume is responsibility in stopping the Israeli violations. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume is responsibility in stopping the Israeli violations. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Rejects Israeli Maps that Annex Parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume is responsibility in stopping the Israeli violations. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume is responsibility in stopping the Israeli violations. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Israel’s publication of maps that show its occupation of parts of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, claiming these territories as its own.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry slammed such extremist acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume is responsibility in stopping these violations, “stressing the need to respect the sovereignty and borders of these countries to ease tensions and put a stop to attempts to undermine peace efforts.”