By B Izzak
KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will represent HH the Amir in opening the new term of the National Assembly on Tuesday amid increased signs of cooperation between the government and MPs. Sheikh Mishal will deliver a key speech that is expected to focus on regional tensions resulting from the Zionist aggression on Gaza, and a call to consolidate cooperation between the government and the Assembly.
Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun will also deliver a speech, as will HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah, outlining his government’s program for the next 12 months. A majority of lawmakers have informally approved a list of priority legislation that they plan to approve during the eight-month term, focusing on political reforms and improving the standard of living of Kuwaiti citizens, which requires the government to agree to budget increases.
The Assembly will also elect members of over a dozen permanent and temporary panels, including the financial and economic affairs panel, the budgets committee, the interior and defense committee and others. The Assembly is scheduled to hold a special session on Wednesday to debate the situation in Palestine in order to declare total support for Palestinians, but MPs are not expected to debate a draft law that bans any dealings with the Zionist entity because the foreign relations panel did not finish it.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said on Monday the extraordinary developments in the region require the Kuwaiti military to be ready and vigilant in case of any threat to the security of the country. In a press statement following a meeting of the military defense council, Sheikh Ahmad said the ministry is keen on following the directives of the country’s leadership, affirming that the army is ready and able to fend off any threat or attack directed at Kuwait.
He stressed that continuous training and keeping up with the latest defense technology will safeguard Kuwait and develop the army’s military strategies. He also highlighted the importance of bolstering cooperation amongst the army’s units to serve the country and protect it against any harm.
Also, MP Marzouq Al-Ghanem sent a series of questions to Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah inquiring about numbers of naturalized citizens since April 1991, following the liberation of Kuwait from seven months of Iraqi occupation. Ghanem asked the minister for the names of foreigners who were granted Kuwaiti citizenship for great services offered to the country since April 1, 1991, and what is the specific service given by each one.
He also asked for the number of children up to the age of 18 who were born outside Kuwait but were then added to their fathers’ citizenship files since April 1, 1991. Ghanem asked the minister for the number of children of Kuwaitis who were granted citizenship after reaching 18 while they were not present in the country a year before reaching 18.