KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun on Tuesday adjourned the Assembly’s regular session due to the absence of the government, which resigned over two weeks ago. Under Kuwaiti law, the presence of at least one Cabinet minister is essential for the Assembly’s session to be legal, although a number of MPs have disputed this fact and called for holding sessions without the presence of ministers.

Caretaker Prime Minister HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah submitted his government’s resignation on Dec 20 after HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in. In his speech after the oath taking, he had criticized both the government and the Assembly for taking decisions harmful to national interests. Last week, HH the Amir named former foreign minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah to form the new Cabinet.

Saadoun said that the next Assembly sessions will be held on January 16 and 17. But no session will be held if the new government is not formed. A number of MPs have criticized adjourning sessions because of the government’s absence. MP Abdullah Al-Mudhaf said he has proposed amendments to the Assembly’s internal charter to state that Assembly sessions can be held even without the presence of Cabinet ministers. MP Dawood Marafi called on MPs to insist on holding sessions, whether Cabinet ministers are present or not.