ROYAL PREROGATIVE: Kuwait Emir dissolves parliament in bid to satisfy Islamic Opposition

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ROYAL PREROGATIVE: Kuwait Emir dissolves parliament in bid to satisfy Islamic Opposition
by Darius Kadivar
07-Oct-2012
 

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has dissolved the country's parliament, paving the way for snap elections, according to state media. The dissolution and new elections have been a major demand of the Islamist-led opposition.(Source: persianrealm.com)

Kuwait at a glance:

·      Politics: The elected parliament has often clashed with the ruling family; the country has faced violence from militant Islamists

·       Economy: Kuwait is one of the world's leading oil producers

·       International: Kuwait was invaded and occupied by Iraq in 1990; it served as a springboard for the invasion of Iraq in 2003

For More On Kuwait See Country’s Profile

 

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NOT THE FIRST TIME

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Kuwaitis Familiar With Government Turmoil (GallupNews on Mar 21, 2008):

Kuwait's parliament has been dissolved for the second time in less than two years. But one month after the last dissolution, 80% of Kuwaitis still expressed confidence in their government.

Protesters storm Kuwaiti parliament ( on Nov 16, 2011):

Dozens of Kuwaitis demanding the prime minister's resignation have briefly stormed parliamentary buildings as hundreds demonstrated outside. The protesters had earlier on Wednesday marched to Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah's home to demand his resignation, an opposition MP said, but police used batons to prevent them. Al Jazeera's Will Jordan reports.

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MAJOR US ALLY

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Kuwait Important Part Of US Middle East Stability Plan :


US military presence in Kuwait extended (Al Jazeera Jun 19, 2012):

The United States is planning to extend its military presence in Gulf state of Kuwait. 
According to the latest Congress report, 15,000 US troops are already stationed in the tiny Gulf country.

Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan reports from the Pentagon, Washington DC.

 

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IRAN-KUWAIT TENSIONS

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Inside Story: Tensions in
the Gulf (AlJazeeraEnglish on Apr 6, 2011) :

Internal unrest
 through the Arabian gulf.
 But the country being painted as the
aggressor is just 300 kilometres across the famous stretch of water -
Iran.
 The unrest is being billed as one between the Gulf Co operation 
Council (GCC) nations and their Persian neighbour.
The foreign ministers of
the six nations - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United
 Arab Emirates recently met in Riyadh. They released a statement criticising
 what they called Iran's blatant interference in internal affairs,
 particularly in Bahrain and Kuwait.
 This comes after Iran's
objection to Saudi Arabia sending in troops to Bahrain during the uprising
 there.
 In return, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday
the GCC statement was issued under the pressure of the US government and its
 allies.

 This episode of Inside Story discusses what 'Iranian meddling' may or 
may not amount to, and just what the GCC and indeed Iran are achieving by
 ratcheting up the rhetoric at this time.

 Inside Story, with presenter Kamahl
 Santamaria, discusses with guests: Hussein Shobokshi, a columnist for Asharq
 Alaw-sat newspaper; Ghanbar Naderi, a political commentator and jounalist; and
 Fahad Shulemi, a security analyst and a former colonel in the Kuwaiti army. 
This
 episode of Inside Story aired from Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

 


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ROYAL PREROGATIVE

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Kuwait Emir al-Sabah dissolves parliament (bbc)

 

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has dissolved the country's parliament, paving the way for snap elections, according to state media.

The dissolution and new elections have been a major demand of the Islamist-led opposition.

In June the Constitutional Court annulled February's poll, which saw major gains for the opposition, and dissolved the new parliament.

Sunday's dissolution was the fifth since 2006.

Kuwait's parliament has not met for several months because of an opposition boycott.

It has the most powers of any elected body in the Gulf, and opposition MPs openly criticise the ruling Sabah family.

But the Sabahs retains full control over key government and executive posts.

The latest move comes despite another decision by the court two weeks ago which prevents the government from changing election boundaries.

The opposition said the change in law would have allowed the government to alter the boundaries to its advantage ahead of fresh elections, but the government said the court action was to safeguard the outcome from possible legal challenges.

Related Pictory:

PAN IRANIST: Pezeshkpour objects to Shah's decision on Bahrain Independence (1971)

OIL KINGS : Shah of Iran's State
 Visits to Saudi Arabia (1975 – 1978)

OIL KING: Shah of Iran meets Henry Kissinger for Zurich
Talks (1975)

  

Related Blogs On Parliamentary Rules in Monarchies:

ROYAL PREROGATIVE: In the UK Only the Queen Can Dissolve Parliament & Appoint Her PM

Cyrus Amir-Mokri: How Truly Democratic Was the 1906 Constitution In The First Place?

Crown Prince Reza on importance of "Checks and Balances" of future regime

Jordan Protest Remains Remarkably Peaceful After King Calls Early Elections

CHECK & BALANCES: Moroccan King receives judges calling for legal reform and Justice

How Genuinely Democratic and Representative was the Parliament in Pahlavi Iran ?

Related Blogs on Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Persian Gulf States:

AMANPOUR BLOGS: Saudi Princess Ameerah al-Taweel opens up about women's rights

Shah of Iran visits Oman’s Sultan 
Qaboos and Dhufar (1977)

Saudi Crown Prince Nayef, next in line to throne, dies "outside the kingdom"

LOOK WHOSE TALKING ? Press TV denounces "Saudi Dictator Who Seeks to Halt Protests"

Saudi Arabia names Prince Nayef as heir to throne

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud Dies

VOA’s OFOGH: Abbas Milani & Mansour Farhang on IRI "Plot" on Saudi Prince

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's Analysis on IRI "plot" to Kill Saudi Envoy

SOPHIE’s CHOICE: UK Countess' Bahrain 'gift' criticised on IRI’s Press TV

Bahrain's King Vows Human Rights Reforms as Independent Report Exonerates Iran

Karim Sadjadpour on Sultan Qaboos’ 'honest broker' role in ending US hikers Ordeal 

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Kuwaiti security forces fired tear gas to disperse a protest on Sunday by thousands of opposition supporters.

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Last month, the authorities banned gatherings of more than 20 people.

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Police in Kuwait have used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse large numbers of people demonstrating against an electoral law.

Activists and medical sources said dozens of people had been injured.

There have been protests in Kuwait after the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved a parliament dominated by opposition groups.

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Kuwait's parliament has the most powers of any elected body in the Gulf and opposition members of parliament openly criticise the ruling Sabah family.

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anglophile

Thank you Darius jaan

by anglophile on

Your blogs are treasure troves of information - always.