Kuwait Parliament to Convene Tuesday in Potentially its Last Session

Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah. (Reuters)
Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Parliament to Convene Tuesday in Potentially its Last Session

Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah. (Reuters)
Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah. (Reuters)

Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim announced on Sunday that he has called on parliament to convene for a regular session on Tuesday and Wednesday amid speculation that it could be its last with the government gearing up to submit a bill to dissolve the legislature.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah had in April announced that the National Assembly will be dissolved and that elections will be held in the coming months.

He also announced that he will oversee the dissolution process and issue a number of political and legal reforms that would “lead the state towards a new phase of discipline and legal guidelines so as to avoid disputes and eliminate all forms of abuse of power by both the legislative and executive authorities.”

The Constitutional Court had on March 19 annulled the results of the 2022 parliamentary elections and reinstated the 2020 parliament, with al-Ghanim as its speaker.

Relations between the National Assembly and government, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah, are strained and they are expected to play out during the parliament’s upcoming meetings.

Separately, prominent MP Badr al-Humaidi announced that he will not run in the elections.

In a message to the National Assembly, he confirmed that he would not be running, stressing that dissolving the 2020 parliament and calling for new elections will not change the state of affairs in the country or ease tensions.

Al-Humaidi previously served as minister of public works and minister of state for housing affairs between 2003 and 2006.



Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing regional tensions and preventing renewed conflict through comprehensive, sustainable diplomatic solutions addressing the sources of instability in the Middle East.

“Diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities,” Prince Faisal declared during the third Saudi-Japanese Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh.

Prince Faisal highlighted the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, built on mutual trust and respect, and identified maritime security as a key shared priority.

He stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in international waterways in accordance with international law, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and other maritime passages must remain open, secure and free from threats.

The Saudi minister described Japan as an important economic partner and noted that Riyadh sought to expand cooperation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense and technology, as well as the exchange of expertise and capabilities.

He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia would remain a reliable partner for Japan, including in energy, while praising Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and stabilize global energy markets and trade.

Ahead of his visit to Riyadh and Muscat, Motegi noted that Saudi Arabia was playing a mediating role in talks between the United States and Iran and had seen its international influence expand significantly in recent years.

He pledged to deepen cooperation with the Kingdom as a strategic partner, particularly in ensuring stable energy supplies.

Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan’s assistant foreign minister and ministry spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo was “strategic and encompasses all fields,” adding that future defense cooperation was possible.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, Kitamura explained that Japan wanted to hear Saudi Arabia’s assessment of regional developments and strengthen coordination with Riyadh and Oman in support of peace and stability, particularly regarding Iran.

He noted that more than 95% of Japan’s crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its importance to global trade and the world economy.

Kitamura also expressed serious concern over Houthi attacks in Bab al-Mandab and indicated that Japan aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation beyond oil under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.


Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Qatari Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Qatari Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations, areas of cooperation and ways to strengthen and develop them in line with the aspirations of the two countries’ leaderships and peoples.

The two ministers discussed the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, contain their repercussions and safeguard regional security and stability. They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation, as well as aligning positions on current developments to bolster efforts to promote security and stability across the region.

They affirmed their support for Qatari and Pakistani mediation efforts and the role they play in advancing dispute settlement through diplomatic means. They also stressed the need to continue joint efforts to ensure security, safety, and freedom of navigation in the region's vital maritime corridors.


Qatari Prime Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is welcomed upon his arrival in Riyadh. (SPA)
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is welcomed upon his arrival in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Qatari Prime Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is welcomed upon his arrival in Riyadh. (SPA)
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is welcomed upon his arrival in Riyadh. (SPA)

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday.

He was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at King Khalid International Airport.