Current:Home > ScamsKuwait’s emir dissolves parliament again, amid political gridlock in oil-rich nation-LoTradeCoin
Kuwait’s emir dissolves parliament again, amid political gridlock in oil-rich nation
View Date:2024-12-23 19:52:16
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait’s emir again dissolved the small, oil-rich country’s parliament Friday, citing the political deadlock that has prevailed in recent years.
Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber made the announcement in an address carried by state television, saying other unspecified portions of the constitution had been suspended as well. He put the suspension at “a period of no more than four years,” without elaborating.
“The unhealthy atmosphere experienced by Kuwait in previous years has encouraged the spread of corruption to reach most state facilities, and unfortunately it reached the security and economic institutions,” the 83-year-old Sheikh Meshal said. “It has even affected the justice system, which is the people sanctuary of their rights and freedom.”
He added: “I will never allow the misuse of democracy to destroy the state, because the interests of the people of Kuwait, which are above all.”
In April, Kuwait held national elections for the fourth time in as many years trying to break out of the longstanding political gridlock.
Domestic political disputes have been gripping Kuwait for years, including over changes to the welfare system,, and the impasse has prevented the sheikhdom from taking on debt. That has left it with little in its coffers to pay bloated public sector salaries despite generating immense wealth from its oil reserves.
Kuwait, a nation with some 4.2 million people that is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey, has the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves.
It has been a staunch U.S. ally since the 1991 Gulf War expelled occupying Iraqi forces of Saddam Hussein. Kuwait hosts some 13,500 American military personnel as well as the forward headquarters of the U.S. Army in the Middle East.
Kuwait is alone among Gulf Arab countries in having a democratically elected parliament that exerts some checks on the ruling family, which nevertheless appoints the government and can dissolve the assembly at will.
veryGood! (64)
Related
- Today's Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb: Everything to Know About the Beloved Anchor
- Crocodile attacks man in Everglades on same day alligator bites off hand near Orlando
- New Orleans police evidence room overrun by rodents, officials say: The rats are eating our marijuana
- Republican Valadao and Democrat Salas advance in California’s competitive 22nd district
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- For NFL running backs, free agency market is active but still a tough bargain
- Miami Seaquarium says it will fight the eviction, protestors may have to wait to celebrate
- Delete a background? Easy. Smooth out a face? Seamless. Digital photo manipulation is now mainstream
- Armie Hammer Says His Mom Gifted Him a Vasectomy for His 38th Birthday
- No, Aaron Rodgers and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shrooms and Hail Marys do not a VP pick make
Ranking
- CFP bracket prediction: SEC adds a fifth team to field while a Big Ten unbeaten falls out
- House Democrats try to force floor vote on foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
- Corrections officers sentenced in case involving assault of inmate and cover up
- 8 children, 1 adult die after eating sea turtle meat in Zanzibar, officials say
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- ASU hoops coach Bobby Hurley has not signed contract extension a year after announcement
- Ohio Chick-Fil-A owner accused of driving 400 miles to sexually abuse child he met online
- National Good Samaritan Day: 6 of our most inspiring stories that highlight amazing humans
Recommendation
-
Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
-
Cop boss says marauding rats are getting high on marijuana at New Orleans police headquarters
-
Ten years after serving together in Iraq these battle buddies reunited
-
Princess Kate's edited photo carries lessons about posting on social media
-
The USDA is testing raw milk for the avian flu. Is raw milk safe?
-
‘The Fall Guy,’ a love letter to stunt performers, premieres at SXSW
-
Judge overseeing Georgia election interference case dismisses some charges against Trump
-
Evangelical Christians are fierce Israel supporters. Now they are visiting as war-time volunteers