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 Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.