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.



Khalid bin Salman Says Saudi Arabia Supporting 'Real Path' for Southern Yemen Cause

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman Says Saudi Arabia Supporting 'Real Path' for Southern Yemen Cause

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

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman announced on Friday that the Kingdom will form a committee to prepare for the conference Riyadh will host on southern Yemen.

The committee will be formed in consultation with southern Yemen figures, he added, saying the meeting will bring together southerners from all southern regions without discrimination.

The Kingdom will support the outcomes of the conference that will be on a dialogue table that will tackle a comprehensive political solution for the whole of Yemen, he said on the X platform.

He stressed that through the Riyadh conference, the Southern Cause now has a "real path forward that is being sponsored by Saudi Arabia and backed by the international community."

"We are seeking to bring together our southern brothers at the conference to come up with just comprehensive solutions that meet their aspirations," continued Prince Khalid.

Moreover, he noted the Yemeni Southern Transitional Council's decision to dissolve itself, describing the move as "brave" and "reflecting a keenness on the Southern Cause". It will encourage more figures from the South to take part in the conference.


Saudi Arabia Leading Efforts to Unite Yemeni Parties

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
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Saudi Arabia Leading Efforts to Unite Yemeni Parties

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber held talks in Riyadh on Thursday with a delegation from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The meeting focused on the latest political developments in the country, notably the STC's unilateral military measures in the eastern governorates and their impact on the Southern Cause.

Al-Jaber stressed to the delegation the importance of uniting southern ranks and avoiding measures that would harm the cause and weaken efforts to confront joint challenges.

The measures, led by STC head Aidrous al-Zubaidi, did not help the cause, he stressed. Rather, they weakened the internal front during a critical phase that demands the highest levels of coordination and responsibility.

The Saudi and Yemeni officials discussed political means to approach the next phase as part of efforts to correct course in a way that meets the aspirations of the people of the South and aligns with the efforts of the Saudi-led coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen that are aimed at restoring security and stability in the country.

The meeting addressed arrangements for the Riyadh-hosted conference on the Southern Cause. Saudi Arabia has been keen on sponsoring comprehensive dialogue aimed at addressing the issue to come up with sustainable solutions that take into consideration national and regional circumstances.

STC member Mohammed al-Ghaithi described the meeting with Al-Jaber as fruitful. The gatherers rejected actions that harm the unity of southern ranks and stressed the importance of prioritizing the public interest.

The STC leadership highly appreciates the efforts carried out by Saudi Arabia, especially is hosting of the upcoming conference on the South, underscoring its complete support and faith in the Saudi leadership and its pivotal role in restoring stability, Ghaithi added.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Thursday with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During their call, the two officials discussed developments in Syria and the efforts being made in this regard.