The Kuwaiti parliament could be suspended for up to two years after its cabinet resigned over a political dispute with MPs, local newspapers reported. Quoting "well-informed sources," Al-Qabas newspaper said the most likely scenario to resolve political crises that have rocked the emirate for the past three years will be to suspend parliament.
Al-Siyassah daily said the move could last up to two years and be accompanied by a number of measures to "put the Kuwaiti house in order. A suspension would see Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolve the 50-seat assembly but not call for new elections within 60 days as required by the constitution.
According to AFP, Speaker Jassem al-Khorafi warned at a public rally on Monday that the emirate was "passing through a dark night," and "a dark cloud was hovering over us."
Meanwhile, Independent MP Khalaf al-Enezi told reporters on Tuesday the "emir has the right to suspend parliament if he finds there is political chaos in the country." But Islamist MP Daifallah Buramia warned that "suspending parliament will increase tension and lead the country into a dark tunnel."
The Kuwaiti ruler on Monday accepted the government's resignation and asked it to run the country's urgent matters is until a new government was formed.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
