Opposition groups in Kuwait say they have successfully boycotted a parliamentary election held under a new electoral law. Election officials say the turnout for Saturday’s election was lighter than usual with about 39 percent of eligible voters participating. Turnout for a parliamentary vote earlier this year was nearly 60 percent. Kuwaitis voted for all 50 […]
Kuwaitis Vote in Poll Boycotted by Opposition
Posted December 1st, 2012 at 7:10 pm (UTC-5)
The polls have closed in a divisive Kuwaiti election held under a new electoral law that triggered an opposition boycott. Witnesses say turnout Saturday appeared lighter than usual in several districts. Voters were choosing candidates for all 50 of the Gulf emirate’s parliament seats. The opposition said the vote favors supporters of the Western-backed emir, […]
Kuwaitis Vote in Poll Boycotted by Opposition
Posted December 1st, 2012 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
Kuwaitis voted Saturday in a divisive parliamentary election held under a new electoral law that triggered an opposition boycott. Witnesses say turnout appeared lighter than usual in several districts. Voters were choosing candidates for all 50 of the Gulf emirate’s parliament seats. The opposition said the vote favors supporters of the Western-backed emir, Sheikh Sabah […]
Kuwait Opens Boycott-Hit Voting
Posted December 1st, 2012 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
Polls in Kuwait are open for a parliamentary election boycotted by opposition groups. The opposition says Saturday’s election, held under a new electoral law, favors supporters of the Western-backed emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The long-ruling al-Sabah family already controls the Kuwaiti Cabinet. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Kuwait […]
Kuwaiti Riot Police Break Up Rally for Jailed Opposition Leader
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
Riot police in Kuwait on Wednesday used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of protesters demanding freedom for a jailed opposition leader accused of insulting the emir. Prosecutors have ordered Musallam al-Barrak held for 10 days while they investigate the charges. Barrack, a former member of parliament, has been accused of insulting the […]
Protesters, Police Clash in Kuwait
Posted October 21st, 2012 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
Police in Kuwait used tear gas, stun guns and batons on Sunday to disperse tens of thousands of anti-government protesters. Opposition groups took to the streets of Kuwait City to protest changes in Kuwait’s electoral law that they say would undercut their rising clout in the oil-rich nation. Dozens of people were injured and several […]
‘Stateless’ Protests Defy Ban in Kuwait
Posted January 14th, 2012 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
Rights groups and witnesses said Saturday riot police in Kuwait fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people demonstrating for the second consecutive day for the right to become Kuwaiti citizens. The rallies Friday and Saturday defied a protest ban by Kuwaiti authorities. The demonstrations were led by stateless Arabs, known as Bidoons. Many are […]
Kuwait Protesters Disrupt Parliament
Posted November 16th, 2011 at 9:10 pm (UTC-5)
Dozens of Kuwaiti anti-government protesters on Wednesday forced their way into the country’s parliament and disrupted a debate about efforts to question Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah about corruption allegations. Local media said the protesters were among hundreds of people demonstrating outside parliament. Opposition lawmakers have sought to question the prime minister but […]
Britain Shuts Embassy in Kuwait Due to Terror Threat
Posted October 20th, 2011 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Britain has temporarily closed its embassy in Kuwait due to what London says is a targeted terrorist threat against the facility. In a statement posted Thursday on the embassy website, Britain says it also cannot rule out security threats against other British interests in Kuwait. Britain says there is a general threat of terrorism in […]
Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Resigns, Protests Planned
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 12:20 am (UTC-5)
Kuwaiti opposition leaders have vowed to step up pressure on the government in the wake of the resignation of Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah. Opposition groups have called for a protest against Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Wednesday. They also say they want to question him concerning an alleged government corruption scandal. […]
