Kuwait Drops Interior Ministry’s Legal Charges against 38 Opposition MPs

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Drops Interior Ministry’s Legal Charges against 38 Opposition MPs

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim. (KUNA)

Kuwait dropped on Tuesday the Interior Ministry’s legal charges against several opposition MPs for flouting coronavirus preventive measures.

Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah said the political leadership ordered that the charges filed by the ministry against the 38 lawmakers be dropped.

The political leadership stressed the importance of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to confront all challenges, underling the need to respect the constitution, laws and health precautions, he added.

The PM expressed his gratitude to Emir Sheikh Nawaf a-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and Crown Prince Mishal al-Ahmad for ordering that the charges be dropped.

The opposition was outraged after the lawmakers, who make up 57 percent of the National Assembly, were referred to the general prosecution for breaching health and social distancing regulations.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said he was summoned for violating the regulations in wake of the announcement of the results of the December parliamentary elections.

In remarks to the press, he added that he believes that the summons was just, stressing that no one was above the law.

He underlined the need to respect the constitution that all lawmakers swore to uphold.

“If we breached the health rules or any other law, then we must be held accountable,” he stated.

Tensions have been growing between the government and opposition after the Constitutional Court annulled on Sunday the membership of MP Bader Zayed Al-Dahoum for insulting the Emir.



Saudi Defense Minister, UAE President Meet in Abu Dhabi

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister, UAE President Meet in Abu Dhabi

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Shati in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi.

The meeting, which came at the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership, addressed the strong fraternal ties and areas of cooperation between the two nations, while discussing ways to enhance regional security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the defense minister conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He expressed their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the government and people of the UAE.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also extended his greetings and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Crown Prince.