Kuwaiti ruler reappoints PM, calls for new cabinet
Source: Reuters (Read full story)
…The December 1 election was the second this year in the OPEC state, where a series of assemblies have collapsed due to a long-running power struggle between the parliament and the cabinet, in which the emir’s relatives hold the top posts.
While the new parliament is expected to be more cooperative with the government than its predecessor because of the opposition boycott, the election proved divisive. Turnout was around 40 percent, the lowest ever in Kuwait and the opposition movement, made up of youth activists and opposition politicians, has promised more protests after staging a march of tens of thousands on November 30.
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KSA: Israeli settlements real disruption to peace
Source: Arab News (Read full story)
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Saud Al-Faisal welcomed the UN General Assembly decision granting the Palestinians the status of a non-member observer state at the United Nations.
Prince Saud, during his regular press briefing at the premises of the Ministry yesterday said, the decision should constitute a positive factor toward establishing peace. He further elaborated that the real disruption to peace comes from the absence of political solutions, as well as Israel’s refusal to a peaceful resolution to the crisis and its incessant drive to build more settlements.…
UAE reaffirms support to GCC efforts
Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)
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Shaikh Khalifa reiterated that the UAE was keen on supporting the GCC’s march in various fields. He also expressed his best wishes for the success of the forthcoming summit in Manama. On his part, Al Zayani expressed his confidence that the summit would be an important milestone and a turning point in the GCC march towards the future, serving the common interests of the peoples of its member countries. He welcomed the President’s support for the future progress of the council and for enhancing its achievements in various fields. The meeting was attended by a number of other Shaikhs, ministers and senior state officials.
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Emir calls for ‘farsighted’ action on climate change
Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)
As world leaders gathered in Doha for the high-level segment of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18-CMP8) that began yesterday, HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani called for “farsighted” action by all parties in addressing climate change impacts.
“The climate change phenomenon is one of the greatest challenges of this era and it will not be acceptable for states to take decisions at the cost of our future because climate changes have repercussions on all human beings, rich and poor, and the resolutions from the Doha conference would determine what we bequeath to our future generations,” the Emir said in an address during the plenary session.
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Bahrain to host UN awards, forum
Source: Gulf News (Read full story)
Bahrain will be the first country in the Middle East to host the United Nations Public Service Awards and Forum.
“Bahrain is the fourth country in the world and the first in the Middle East to host and organise such a forum outside the UN premises in New York since its launch ten years ago,” Mohammad Ali Al Qaed, eGovernment Authority (eGA) CEO, said after signing the agreement with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOG) Director Haiyan Qian in New York City.
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