Kuwait ruler dissolves parliament, clears way for early election
NAN-F-5
Dissolution
Kuwait City,Oct.16,2016(dpa/NAN)Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al-Ahmed on Sunday dissolved parliament, clearing the way for an early election in the oil-producing Gulf country, the state news agency, reported.
The move was announced in a royal decree, which did not give a reason for the assembly’s dissolution.
No date was officially announced for the new election.
However, the Kuwaiti constitution says the vote must be held within two months.
Although Kuwait holds broadly free elections, the government is appointed by the emir, who retains effective power.
The agency reported the decree as saying that the move was linked to regional developments and security challenges and their different impacts and risks.
It stated that it require returning to the people – the origin of authority – to choose its representatives to express its directions, ambitions and contribute to facing these challenges.
Kuwait, a regional U.S. ally, has a relatively open political system by Gulf standards and has avoided an uprising like those that have ousted leaders in several Arab states since 2011.(dpa/NAN)
IAA/AFA
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Felix Ajide
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