By B Izzak

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said on Tuesday that the Assembly remains active and functional until HH the Amir issues its dissolution decree as promised. HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said last week he has decided to dissolve the National Assembly to end lingering political disputes between the parliament and the government.

In a national address read by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Amir said that the dissolution decree will be issued “within months” after legal procedures are taken. He did not give a timeframe for the dissolution. HH the Amir also vowed to call for snap polls. Under the constitution, fresh elections must be held within 60 days of issuing the decree.

Asked about the legal position of the Assembly, Ghanem said the house remains functional and all MPs, the speaker and committees should continue to operate as usual until the decree is issued. Unofficial reports said part of the procedures needed ahead of dissolving the Assembly is forming a new Cabinet, because the existing Cabinet is a caretaker one after HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah resigned in early April following a grilling. The resignation was accepted and the premier was asked to continue to lead a caretaker Cabinet.