Kuwait Dissolves Parliament, UAE Slams Brotherhood

Photo Credit: Arab Times Online

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabeh al-Ahmad al-Sabah has “called upon all people to work together to maintain stability, security and national unity,” after he issued a decree dissolving parliament.  In response, opposition groups warned “the current intentions of the political authorities … could severely undermine political stability and the historical relations binding the people with the al-Sabah ruling family.” Fourteen detainees were also released in Kuwait today after being arrested in relation to demonstrations organized by stateless people, or Bedouns, pressing for more rights. The release came after some Bedouns accused of inciting public revolt admitted to calling for protests through Twitter.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan urged collaboration between the gulf countries to stop the Muslim Brotherhood from plotting to undermine governments in the region. Al-Nahayan denounced the Muslim Brotherhood as “an organization which encroaches upon sovereignty and integrity of nations.” Roughly 60 local Islamists have been arrested this year for accusations of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in the UAE, and conspiring to overthrow the government.