Kuwait's parliament dissolved due to 'widespread corruption'

Sheikh Meshal said he “will not allow” democracy to be used to destroy the state' Photo: NOUFAL IBRAHIM/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Gulf state of Kuwait has been plunged into political uncertainty after its ruler suspended the national parliament, saying corruption had permeated all institutions.

Emir Kuwait's Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmed Al Sabah said he would suspend parliament for up to four years, saying he took the step «to save the country.»

«Unfortunately, we are faced with some unimaginable, unbearable difficulties and obstacles,” the 83-year-old said on Friday, according to the state news agency, referring to the impasse holding back Kuwait's development.

“We are left with no choice but to take this difficult decision to save the country and protect its supreme national interests and the nation’s resources,” added Sheikh Mishal.

“I will not allow democracy to be taken advantage of to destroy the state.»

Kuwait, one of the few semi-democratic countries in the Middle East, held elections to its national parliament in April.

Members of Parliament at the National Assembly in Kuwait, January 29 Photo: YASER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP

Parliament was due to hold its first meeting on Monday, but several parliamentarians reportedly refused to attend.

In a television broadcast, the country's ruler said: «The unhealthy atmosphere that Kuwait experienced in previous years contributed to the spread of corruption, which reached most government institutions, and unfortunately it has reached the security and economic institutions.»

Al-Sabah became ruler under the country's hereditary system only last year and shortly thereafter dissolved parliament in favor of new elections.< /p>

In recent years, Kuwait has faced growing conflict between its parliament and hereditary authority as it seeks to reduce its dependence on oil revenues as its main source of income.

Kuwait, one of the few countries in the region, which has a parliament that has a significant say in political decisions, last suspended its national assembly in the 1980s.