Government to referelectoral law to court – No Assembly dissolution, no fresh elections

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The action comes after the unprecedented constitutional court ruling in June in which it nullified the February legislative polls, scrapped the 2012 Assembly and reinstated the 2009 house after it was dissolved in December. The 2009 Assembly failed to meet on two occasions last week due to a lack of quorum as both opposition and pro-government MPs boycotted the two sessions. Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said he will refer the issue to HH the Amir next week.

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Cabinet calls for quick UN action on Syria

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Saudi Arabia yesterday welcomed the UN General Assembly’s adoption of an Arab-sponsored resolution on Syria, asserting the decision reflected the feelings of the international community toward the suffering of the Syrian people. The worsening situation of the Syrian people “necessitates quick and decisive action to initiate a political process that will pave the way for meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people, alleviating their grievances,” the Council of Ministers said following its weekly meeting at Al-Salam Palace.

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Opposition MPs issue stern warning to PM – More than 20,000 ink opposition petition

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun reiterated the opposition’s total rejection of amending the electoral law or referring it to the constitutional court and told Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah that if he can not face the “forces of corruption” he should resign. Saadoun insisted that the government should immediately dissolve the 2009 National Assembly and hold fresh elections on the basis of the existing electoral law and voting system.

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Aid convoy for Syrian refugees leaves Riyadh

Source:Arabnews (Read full story)

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Saudi Arabia has led Arab diplomatic efforts to isolate the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad over his suppression of a 17-month-old rebellion against his rule.The Kingdom has accused Assad of targeting civilians.The Saudi Press Agency reported that the campaign, which was launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah with a $ 5.3 million donation, had raised SR 468 million.
The 43 aid trucks assembled in a shopping mall car park in northern Riyadh before the sunset prayer, loaded with food, medicine and clothing under orange tarpaulins.

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MPs boycott revived parliament amid crisis – Juwaihel arrested after offensive tweet

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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Although, Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and all the cabinet ministers, except the interior minister, arrived at the assembly building, only five of them came to the chamber. They immediately left the building after the session was adjourned. The session was boycotted by both opposition MPs who consider the revived assembly as illegitimate and pro-government MPs who are upset because the government plans to dissolve the assembly and call for polls.

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Lawmakers insist on enjoying immunity

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

The court order annulling the 2012 parliament and reinstating the 2009 one has greatly impacted investigations at the Public Prosecution Office where some MPs’ bank accounts are under scrutiny over millions-worth cash deposits. This is, of course, a procedure that requires lifting the parliamentary immunity of the lawmakers under scanner. A number of accused MPs’ lawyers made official requests to Public Prosecutor Dherar Al-Assousi, asking him to stop investigations and contact the National Assembly, requesting that parliamentary immunity be lifted before proceeding with the investigation.

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Al-Kharafi invites 2009 MPs for July 31 meeting – Opposition, youth launch “nation is source of powers” charter

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The new move comes amid reports that the government was contemplating either amending the electoral constituencies by an “emergency decree” or referring the electoral law to the constitutional court to rule on whether or not it breaches the constitution.
Opposition MPs insist that any change to the electoral law will be done in such a way as to enable the government to influence the outcome of any parliamentary election, which would effectively prevent the opposition from controlling a majority in the house as it did in the scrapped 2012 house.

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Kingdom backs Arab League efforts to end Syria bloodshed

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

The Council of Ministers on Monday commended resolutions adopted by an extraordinary meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Council on the situation in Syria.

The meeting, held in the Qatari capital Doha Sunday night, underscored the importance of providing the necessary support to the Syrian people and intensifying efforts to end the continuing bloodshed in the Arab Muslim country.

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