KUWAIT CITY, June 16: Lawmakers have praised and thanked His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for his wise speech on Wednesday and assured that they will maintain and respect the Constitution and work for the benefit of the state of Kuwait.

Speaker of Parliament, Jassem Al-Khorafi, thanked the Amir for his valuable speech and said that the people of Kuwait were in need of these words of wisdom especially during these turbulent times. Al-Khorafi added that the speech assures that His Highness the Amir is well aware of the ‘dangerous incidents’ that have been occurring, therefore he was keen to promote national unity, warn his countrymen and call for solidarity, stability and security for the sake of Kuwait.

Regarding His Highness the Amir’s condemnation of the recent disputes within Abdullah Al-Salem Hall, Al-Khorafi said that Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has always supported the use of constitutional powers by lawmakers. However, he added, these powers should be used appropriately and without abuse, within the National Assembly and not outside its walls. Al-Khorafi advised MPs to listen to and obey His Highness the Amir with good spirit.

Positive effect
For his part, MP Hussein Al-Huraiti said the His Highness the Amir’s speech will have a positive effect on the political atmosphere and remove a number of wrong practices. He expressed his confidence that his colleagues will be cooperative with the Amir at this stage.

Tribal MP Khaled Al-Adwa commented that the Amir’s speech was a beacon for the people, full of patience and mature values. He added that His Highness the Amir urged citizens to have compassion and collaborate together for the sake of democracy in Kuwait and its future instead of creating discord and division. Therefore, Al-Adwa advised, we have to dedicate ourselves to the spirit of giving and tolerance, not hatred and irresponsibility.

Furthermore, liberal and anti-government MP, Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, said the MPs feel what the Amir is feeling towards his country and appreciate every word within the speech. He added that His Highness the Amir has stressed a truth, which is that Kuwait is a state of democracy that follows the law and the Constitution as well as a state of institutions and civil societies. Al-Anajri noted that there is no democracy without freedom and thanked the Amir for protecting the Constitution.

Meanwhile, youth political activist group ‘Nahj’ announced that it will begin a campaign calling for the removal of His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah this Saturday and will organize a rally on Wednesday with opposition MPs. The rally, entitled ‘Decision Wednesday’ will urge more MPs to support the no-confidence motion against the prime minister on Thursday. Another rally, although not yet confirmed, will be held the following Friday following the vote.

‘Nahj’ praised the performance of opposition MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohammed Hayef and Mubarak Al-Walaan as well as supporting speakers MPs Musallam Al-Barrak and Falah Al-Sawagh during the PM’s grilling session. They also praised the 18 MPs who are said to have announced their support of the no-confidence motion, and urged more MPs to declare their support.

Opposition MP Ali Al-Deqbasi, however, announced that he will not participate in a rally organized by youth activists next Friday but will practice his authority as per the framework of the Constitution.
In response to His Highness the Amir’s request for the Ministry of Interior officials to do all that is necessary to punish those who violate the law, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud, the Minister of Interior, assured that his ministry will work on strictly obeying the Amir’s orders.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Committee met on Thursday and completed its proposal on the establishment of a national commission for human rights. The Finance Committee has also completed discussions on a bill protecting competition and commercial business, while the Budgets Committee discussed with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr Mohammed Al-Afasi, the budget for the Public Authority for Youth and Sports.