Kuwait Govt Sets Date for First Session of New National Assembly

Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
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Kuwait Govt Sets Date for First Session of New National Assembly

Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)

The Kuwaiti government held an extraordinary session on Saturday to set the date for the first meeting of the newly-elected National Assembly.

The parliament will meet for the first time on October 11.

The government then submitted its resignation following the announcement of this week’s elections results.

The results were announced on Friday, introducing a 54 percent change in the legislature.

Only 12 lawmakers were reelected to their posts in the 50-member legisalture.

Opposition lawmakers made gains, while pro-government MPs were dealt shocking defeats.

Deputies representing the Islamic Constitutional Movement - Hadas (Muslim Brotherhood) won seats. The victors included: Osama Issa Al-Shaheen (first constituency), Hamad Muhammad Al-Matar (second district), and Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi (third constituency).

The Salafist movement achieved a remarkable win with the return of MP Muhammad Hayef to the National Assembly after his loss in the previous elections. Adel Al-Damkhi, Fahd Al-Masoud and Hamad Al-Obeid also won seats.

The entire Bloc of Five, consisting of Hassan Gohar, Abdullah Al-Mudhaf, Badr Al-Mulla, Muhalhal Al-Mudhaf, and Muhannad Al-Sayer, also won with a high number of votes in their constituencies.

About nine Shiite deputies, distributed in various electoral districts and political blocs, won seats, including two independents, Osama Al-Zayd and Jenan Boushehri.

Former National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun claimed a landslide victory, receiving more than 12,200 votes in the third constituency - the highest in the country.



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”.