Kuwait’s emir dissolves parliament, suspends some parts of constitution

Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, on Friday ordered parliament dissolved and suspended some articles of the country’s constitution for a period of not more than four years, pending a “revision of the democratic process in its entirety.”

During a speech broadcast on state TV, the ruler said: “Kuwait has undergone challenging times that left repercussions on all aspects of life and created negative reality.

“We, as entrusted with looking after this state and its people, had to offer counseling and guidance once and again in order to get out of these conditions with the least possible losses.”

Sheikh Meshal said Kuwait faces “unimaginable, unbearable difficulties and impediments,” and that some people had “attempted resolutely to shut down every way out of the bitter reality.”

He added: “We were left with no option other than taking this hard decision to rescue the country and protect its higher national interests and resources of the nation.”

The Emir and the country’s cabinet will assume the powers of the National Assembly, state news agency KUNA reported.