"Autocratic rule in Kuwait :coup against the constitution"

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Kuwait has been torn by a power struggle between the government, controlled by the ruling Al-Sabah family, and the elected parliament. The turmoil has blocked development plans and paralyzed the political system. The Kuwaiti government, at an extraordinary meeting in Kuwait city of Saturday, ordered elections to held on December 1, and decided to amended the election law to allow each voter to choose only one candidate instead of four. The opposition, including Islamists, liberals and tribal figures who won a majority in the 50-seat parliament in the last election in February, rejected the changes and called for a protest march on Sunday, said Ahmed al-Dayen, an opposition politician. Kuwait's oil wealth and a generous welfare state have helped it avoid the "Arab Spring" protests that forced out leaders elsewhere in the region. But there have been regular demonstrations in the country since last year. Opposition leaders, meeting at a guest house owned by former parliament speaker Ahmed al-Saadoun, blamed the government for the political crisis and warned it was driving the country towards "autocratic rule". "We call on the proud and free people of Kuwait to ... boycott the upcoming election, both by (refraining) from running in it or casting ballots," a statement after the meeting said. It asked Kuwaitis to join a protest march on Sunday, and warned the interior minister against committing "aggression" against it. "We will hold him personally responsible for that," the statement said. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Kuwait's emir, dissolved parliament on October 7, and under Kuwait's constitution elections are supposed to be held within 60 days. It was the sixth dissolution of parliament since early 2006 in the oil-rich state, an ally of the United States. RECURRING CRISIS Sheikh Sabah, in a televised speech on Friday night, instructed the government to change the election law in what he said was a move to stem recurring crisis. He also said the constitutional court had issued a ruling that allowed for any necessary changes to be made to the country's electoral system. Kuwaiti authorities arrested two opposition politicians on Thursday and interrogated a third after they made comments seen as criticizing the emir. The former members of parliament spoke at an opposition-led rally of about 5,000 people on Monday, at which Kuwaitis later clashed with riot police close to parliament. The arrests have prompted protests in Kuwait, including one late on Friday, when some 1,000 people had gathered in the centre of the capital to demand the release of the detainees. The events prompted the Al-Sabah family to issue a rare statement on Thursday calling for obedience to the emir. The Al-Sabah dynasty has ruled Kuwait for more than 250 years. The 83-year-old emir has led the country since 2006. Although Kuwait allows more freedom of speech than some of its fellow Gulf states, the emir is seen as untouchable and is referred to as "immune and inviolable" in the constitution. Sheikh Sabah warned in his speech on Friday the recent political turmoil in Kuwait could lead to "strife that could be about to erupt and destroy our unity, disfigure our identity and tear apart our society into fragmented groups". He said he had instructed the government to establish a national electoral committee and to organize election campaigns "to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process." (Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy, writing by Angus McDowall, editing by Sami Aboudi) UPDATE 2-Kuwait ruler orders electoral system changes Fri, Oct 19 17:10 PM EDT * Opposition fear changes could help pro-govt candidates * Emir says recent turmoil could "destroy our unity" * Opposition threatens boycott of next elections By Ahmed Hagagy KUWAIT, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Kuwait's emir said on Friday he had ordered partial changes to the Gulf Arab state's electoral system to fix deficiencies ahead of expected elections, prompting opposition threats to boycott the vote. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved parliament last week to pave the way for new election which many hoped would end a persistent political turmoil that had held up development projects in the major oil producer and U.S. ally. The opposition, which won a parliamentary majority in a February poll, had said it feared authorities would try to push through new voting rules that could help pro-government candidates. "I have directed the government to issue a draft law to make partial amendments to the electoral system, aimed at improving the voting mechanism to preserve national unity and to strengthen the practice of democracy," the ruler said in a speech aired on state television. Kuwait's constitutional court had issued a ruling that allowed for any necessary changes to be made to the country's electoral system, he said. He did not elaborate on what the proposed changes should be. Kuwaiti opposition politicians criticised the decision and said calls for boycotting the elections were growing. "We have announced our position that if there was any meddling, there will be a boycott of the election, and what happened was meddling with the constitution of Kuwait," Hamad al-Matar, a former member of parliament, told Reuters after an opposition meeting. "I believe there will be big reaction," he added. Faisal al-Mislem, another former MP, said: "There is no need for issuing any decree and we refuse to participate in the elections." Dhari Al-Rujaib, a youth activist, said there were calls being issued for protests against the emir's decision. "The street is not happy with the decision," he said. Kuwait oil wealth and a generous welfare state have helped it avoid the "Arab Spring" protests that forced out leaders elsewhere in the region. But there have been regular demonstrations in the country since last year, stemming from a struggle between the government dominated by the ruling family and mainly Islamist and tribal lawmakers in parliament. Tensions increased as Kuwaitis waited for the emir to fix a date for the election, which must be held within 60 days from the date of parliament's dissolution. Kuwaiti authorities arrested two opposition politicians on Thursday and interrogated a third after they made comments seen as criticising the emir. The former members of parliament spoke at an opposition-led rally of about 5,000 people on Monday where Kuwaitis later clashed with riot police close to parliament. The arrests have prompted protests in Kuwait, including one late on Friday, where some 1,000 people had gathered in the centre of the capital to demand the release of the detainees. The events prompted the Al-Sabah family to issue a rare statement on Thursday calling for obedience to the emir. The Al-Sabah dynasty has ruled Kuwait for more than 250 years. The 83-year-old emir has led the country since 2006. Although Kuwait allows more freedom of speech than some of its fellow Gulf states, the emir is seen as untouchable and is referred to as "immune and inviolable" in the constitution. Sheikh Sabah also warned in his speech On Friday that the recent political turmoil in Kuwait could lead to "strife that could be about to erupt and destroy our unity, disfigure our identity and tear apart our society into fragmented groups". He said he had instructed the government to establish a national electoral committee and to organise election campaigns "to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process". Kuwaiti politician: amending the election law serves the silent majority 2012, October 21 - 05:46 Politics | World News | B Level | Vیspoک Kuwait (World) 21/10/2012 confirmed the chairman of the Democratic Development Association Nasser al-Abdali to amend the election law in Kuwait serve the silent majority, because the previous law served major tribes, expressing his belief that the issue has been resolved now will not be able to so-called parliamentary majority change, indeed, something. The Abdali in an exclusive interview with Al-Alam News on Saturday evening that the decision to Emir of Kuwait to amend the electoral law apparently seems to be in the interest of the ruling family, but in fact things that the silent majority in the Kuwaiti society would benefit from reducing the number of votes, because the electoral system in Kuwait, especially After that has been modified to five and four votes, served major tribes in Kuwait. He added: There are three tribes very large in Kuwait number voters each to 100 thousand votes, so are the monopoly of seats within the National Assembly does not allow tribes other to participate, so that whole regions were represented in the National Assembly disappeared because of tribal alliances, no alliance also between the tribal trend and the Islamic trend, and therefore most of the seats in parliament endorsed to this alliance. He continued: electoral process in Kuwait must be understood through the Constitution, the Kuwaiti Constitution speaks of a party inherent in governance and party involved is the National Assembly, which is different from democracies in the West, where the ballot boxes are determined prescribed It governs, but in Kuwait only Council Nation regard to legislation and control over the performance of the government, which are often led by one of the ruling family. The Abdali stressed the need to be all the tribes and all sects and all regions are represented in the National Assembly until the hearing to the largest possible number of opinions. He Abdali to that decree was issued today by reducing the number of votes for voters to one vote and that the election would be at the beginning of December, expressing his belief that the so-called parliamentary majority is not of one mind with regard to participation or boycott, and that there is a majority talk about participating in the upcoming elections. And that there is the experience of previous similar occurred in Kuwait in 1981, where a decree similar to the decree, which issued on Saturday to amend the electoral districts of 10 districts to 25 constituencies and from 5 votes to two, and the opposition at that time participated in the elections and did not object to the issuance of the decree need According to Article 71 of the Constitution, noting that the current opposition is an extension of the previous opposition. He said: It may be the case not just issue a decree necessity or amend the electoral law, may be a much bigger issue than that, there may be a conflict on issues other than the issues the Constitution, there is considerable disagreement very between the parties, and may not be able to "parliamentary majority" to continue the same momentum and the same atmosphere after the issuance of this decree, and I think that the issue is now resolved this majority will not be able to change the reality of a thing. AM - 20 - 18:20 Police fire teargas at opposition protesters in Kuwait Sun, Oct 21 16:13 PM EDT By Ahmed Hagagy KUWAIT (Reuters) - Police in Kuwait used teargas and stun grenades on Sunday to disperse demonstrators as thousands marched in a protest against changes to the electoral law which the opposition has called a constitutional coup by the government, Reuters witnesses said. Demonstrators had gathered in various parts of the capital, Kuwait City, to march towards the government's headquarters, but riot police swiftly surrounded some groups and used teargas and stun grenades to disperse them, witnesses said. A medical source said at least 29 people had been admitted to hospital, most of them suffering from teargas inhalation or from baton bruises. At least six people, including a former MP and a reporter, were detained. An opposition activist estimated that up to 50,000 people had gathered in different locations. The opposition decided to take to the streets after the government - which is dominated by the ruling Al-Sabah family - announced last week it was calling elections for December 1 and would change the electoral law "to preserve national unity". The announcement was the latest move in an intensifying power struggle between the ruling establishment and parliament that has seen eight governments come and go since the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, came to power in 2006. The 83-year-old dissolved parliament on October 7. It was the sixth time the oil-rich state and key U.S. ally had disbanded its legislature since early 2006. Its oil wealth and a generous welfare state have helped Kuwait avoid the kind of "Arab Spring" protests that toppled leaders elsewhere in the region. Before Sunday's protest got underway, the authorities had promised to "decisively confront" demonstrators. Witnesses said protesters who had initially been dispersed later regrouped to form a crowd estimated at more than 20,000 at a main road near Kuwait Towers, a seaside landmark in the Gulf oil producer. There were unconfirmed reports that police tried to break up the Kuwait Towers protest using rubber bullets, teargas and stun grenades, forcing some people to leave and join another protest outside the parliament building in the centre of the capital. "The decree is void, void," some protesters chanted, referring to the emir's order for a change to the election law. Demonstrators said they had were motivated by a feeling of injustice. "We are entering a dark tunnel," said Salem al-Ajmi, a 30-year-old man, after police blocked him from reaching Kuwait Towers where the main protest was taking place. Kuwait has been convulsed by regular demonstrations since last year, and the opposition - including Islamists, liberals and tribal figures who won a majority in the 50-seat parliament in the last election in February - have rejected the emir's proposed changes and said they will boycott the vote. The opposition has called the changes - which allow voters to choose only one candidate per electoral district - "a coup against the constitution", saying the reform would prevent its candidates from winning the majority they won in the last vote. Forging an electoral alliance, which depends on supporters of one candidate voting for another in exchange for reciprocal support, would become unfeasible under the new system, they say. CRITICISM OF THE EMIR Kuwait's opposition has been emboldened after Arab protests toppled four heads of state. Some have been demanding a constitutional state and for the emir to resign but for governments to be formed by majority groups in the 50-member assembly. Others have made more modest demands for the government formed by the emir to be subject to full parliamentary scrutiny. The Al-Sabah dynasty has ruled Kuwait for more than 250 years and although Kuwait allows more freedom of speech than some Gulf states, the emir is seen as untouchable and is referred to as "immune and inviolable" in the constitution. Kuwaiti authorities arrested two opposition politicians on Thursday and interrogated a third after they made comments seen as criticizing the emir. The events prompted the Al-Sabah family to issue a rare statement on Thursday calling for obedience to the emir. On Monday, police and protesters fought over a barricaded street after 5,000 people demonstrated outside parliament. Security forces arrested at least five people, including two former members of parliament. The deepening crisis has taken its toll on the stock market, which dropped as much as 3.4 percent on Sunday, heading for its biggest daily fall since mid-2009, when shares were hit by the global financial crisis. The crisis escalated in June this year when the top court annulled the last election which had been held in February, reinstating the previous, more government-friendly assembly. Unlike other Gulf Arab states, Kuwait enjoys a more open political system that allows some parliamentary scrutiny over government decisions. But the emir still holds key levers of power, including appointing the prime minister. The turmoil has not only paralyzed the political system but also blocked major economic development plans. Sheikh Sabah warned in a speech on Friday that the recent political turmoil could lead to "strife that could be about to erupt and destroy our unity, disfigure our identity and tear apart our society into fragmented groups". (Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

MIDEAST STOCKS-Kuwait sinks 3.1 pct before protest; Gulf mostly down Sun, Oct 21 10:36 AM EDT By Nadia Saleem DUBAI, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Kuwait's bourse tumbled 3.1 percent on Sunday, its biggest daily drop since July 2009, ahead of a demonstration called by opposition leaders to protest against planned changes to the electoral law. Market participants said they believed state-linked funds were buying blue chips in an effort to support the market, as they have done during some periods of weakness in the past. But selling pressure was very heavy in small-capital stocks favoured by retail traders, who cut their exposure because they feared a confrontation between police and protesters on Sunday evening. "The government was trying to stabilise the market today through the National Portfolio Fund, but the sell-flow was heavy," said a Kuwait-based trader who asked not to be identified. "There's only so much selling they can absorb." Kuwaiti opposition groups accuse the government of mounting a "a coup against the constitution". Sunday's protest was to start from a number of locations in Kuwait City after Muslim evening prayers and gather outside government offices. State news agency KUNA reported Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Hamoud al-Sabah had instructed security forces to "decisively confront" any attempt to hold protests outside designated areas. The ministry also said special forces were on alert to deal with any unrest. Kuwait has avoided the uprisings that have forced four Arab heads of state out of office since last year, thanks partly to its generous welfare system, but the protests may indicate parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 1 will not end a political deadlock between the cabinet and parliament that is blocking economic policy-making and development. The benchmark stock index slumped to 5,729 points, near an eight-year low of 5,661 points hit in August. Its last daily fall of this magnitude occurred when the global financial crisis was affecting the market. Blue chips recovered in late trade with the three largest stocks, National Bank of Kuwait, Zain and Kuwait Finance House, ending flat. But among smaller caps, Gulf Finance House and National Ranges dropped 6.9 and 11.4 percent respectively, while Abyaar Real Estate lost 5.8 percent. Trading in these three stocks accounted for more than a third of overall volume on the bourse. "Kuwait's index is approaching the strong support zone of 5,660," said Mohabeldeen Agena, head of technical analysis at Cairo's Beltone Financial. "We are expecting the index to move flat between 5,650 and 5,800 before rising again. Any dip below 5,600 means that we are going to see lower lows." SAUDI In Saudi Arabia, the bourse declined for a second session, down 0.4 percent from last Wednesday's 10-day high as investors cut risk with the approach of a long holiday. Banks were lower with the sector's index down 0.4 percent. Heavyweight Al Rajhi Bank shed 0.4 percent, Arab National Bank fell 1.2 percent and Bank Albilad lost 1.8 percent. Saudi Telecom Co (STC) weighed on the market with a 3.5 percent drop after missing third-quarter profit estimates. "We believe higher operating expenses, particularly outside of Saudi, and a poor performance on the non-operating line led to the net income miss," NBC Capital said in a note. Bucking the trend, Refining & Petrochemical Co (PetroRabigh) soars its daily 10 percent limit after announcing it has swung to a quarterly profit. Shares close at their highest since Sept. 19. The firm made a net profit of 409.3 million riyals ($109 million) in the third quarter compared to a 280 million riyal loss in the year-ago period, because of improved gross margins on refined products and higher sales, PetroRabigh said. Saudi Arabia's market will close on Oct. 25 for Eid al Adha holidays and resume trade on Nov. 3. In the UAE, Dubai's benchmark eased away from Thursday's 25-week closing high, ending 0.3 percent lower. Investors booked recent gains in Emaar Properties, which slipped 0.8 percent. Emirates NBD shed 0.7 percent and Dubai Islamic Bank declined 1.0 percent. Elsewhere, Abu Dhabi and Qatar's measures ended essentially flat, while Oman's market eased 0.1 percent. SUNDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS KUWAIT * The benchmark dropped 3.1 percent to 5,729 points. SAUDI ARABIA * The index dipped 0.4 percent to 6,780 points. DUBAI * The measure slipped 0.3 percent to 1,650 points. ABU DHABI * The benchmark ended flat at 2,652 points. QATAR * The measure eased 0.05 percent to 8,538 points. OMAN * The index edged down 0.08 percent to 5,709 points. BAHRAIN * The measure declined 0.4 percent to 1,067 points. ============= UPDATE 1-Kuwait grants bail to ex-MP accused of insulting emir Thu, Nov 01 11:01 AM EDT * Crowd celebrates release of opposition politician * Tension rising in run-up to Dec. 1 parliamentary election By Sylvia Westall KUWAIT, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti authorities freed a prominent opposition politician on bail on Thursday after charging him with insulting the ruling emir, accusations which his lawyer said were fabricated. Musallam al-Barrak, an outspoken former member of parliament, was picked up from his home on Monday night, two weeks after a protest rally where he appealed to the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, to avoid "autocratic rule". Although OPEC member and U.S. ally Kuwait has avoided the kind of mass pro-democracy unrest seen in other Arab countries, tensions have mounted between the elected parliament and the government, dominated by the Al-Sabah family, ahead of a December election. Police in the oil-producing Gulf state used tear gas and smoke bombs on Wednesday to disperse protesters marching on a prison where Barrak was being held, witnesses said. Barrak's lawyer Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem said the politician was released on bail of 10,000 dinars ($35,545), adding the charges against him were fabricated and his comments had been twisted. Around 200 of Barrak's supporters gathered outside the central prison on the outskirts of Kuwait City to welcome his release. The jovial crowd lifted him on their shoulders and chanted "The people want Musallam al-Barrak". "I trust the emir... but maybe he has received bad information from those around him," Barrak told the crowd. MINISTRY WARNING Although Kuwait allows more freedom of speech than some other Gulf states, the emir, who has the last say in state affairs, is considered "immune and inviolable" in the constitution. Demonstrations about local issues often occur, but violence has been rare. On Oct. 22 police used tear gas and baton charges to break up another demonstration, witnesses said. On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said security forces had scattered rioters who had blocked streets and assaulted police with stones and bottles, according to a statement published by the state news agency KUNA. It said drivers had tried to run over members of the special forces, injuring five in two separate incidents. The ministry said some arrests were made. On Thursday, the ministry said it would "deal firmly" with any gathering that violated the law, KUNA said. The government has banned unregistered gatherings of more than 20 people on roads or in other public locations. The opposition plans a protest rally on Nov. 4 over changes to the election law which some have criticised as an attempt to give pro-government candidates an advantage in the parliamentary election on Dec. 1. The government says the amendments were needed to preserve national unity. The opposition politicians have said they will boycott the vote, the second this year, which was ordered by the emir after months of political deadlock. An opposition bloc, made up of Islamists, liberal and tribal lawmakers, won a majority at the last elections in February. ============= MIDEAST STOCKS-Kuwait sinks to 8-yr low on political upheaval; most Gulf mkts up Thu, Nov 01 08:16 AM EDT By Nadia Saleem DUBAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Intensifying political turmoil in Kuwait, where police used teargas to disperse protesters a day earlier, triggered another sell-off on the country's main index on Thursday, dragging it down to its lowest level since August 2004. Most other Gulf bourses ended higher ahead of the weekend. Kuwait's benchmark fell 1.9 percent to 5,658 points, falling below the previous eight-year low hit in August this year. "The political instability is directly impacting the short-term and long-term outlook for Kuwait," said Fouad Darwish, head of brokerage services at Global Investment House. "In the past, we had day traders who were willing to gamble on a quick resolution of the political scene. But unfortunately, the problem is becoming fiercer and the opposition is becoming more vocal." Kuwaiti police used teargas and smoke bombs on Wednesday night to disperse thousands of protesters marching on a prison where an opposition leader is being held on charges of insulting the emir, witnesses said. The Ministry of Interior, in a statement on state news agency KUNA, said security services must intervene to disperse violent protests and arrest rioters. Retail investor-dominated small-caps were hardest hit. Of the three most traded stocks, Gulf Investment House dropped 4.1 percent, Abyaar Real Estate fell 5.0 percent and Ithmaar Bank shed 5.0 percent. In the UAE, Dana Gas shares gained 2.4 percent, rising from Wednesday's six-week low as bargain hunters returned. The stock accounted for more than half of shares changing hands on the Abu Dhabi bourse. After markets closed, the bourse said it would suspend Dana shares pending clarification on its Islamic bond. Dana said on Thursday it failed to pay the outstanding $920 million on an Islamic bond that matured on Wednesday, as well as a $18.75 million accrued profit payment due on Oct 30, adding it is in ongoing discussions with sukuk holders to amend and extend the terms. ============== Kuwait warns against unlicensed protest planned for Sunday Sat, Nov 03 16:43 PM EDT KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait said on Saturday it had not issued a permit to allow a planned protest against new voting rules and the prime minister warned police would use force if the nation was under threat. Kuwait outlawed unauthorized gatherings of more than 20 people last month after an opposition-led demonstration by thousands ended in clashes between protesters and police in which at least 30 people were taken to hospital. Although OPEC member and U.S. ally Kuwait has avoided the kind of mass pro-democracy unrest seen in other Arab countries, tensions have mounted between the elected parliament and the government, dominated by the Al-Sabah ruling family. Demonstrations about local issues often occur in the major oil producer, but violence has previously been very rare. Security forces used tear gas and smoke bombs at protests last month, witnesses said. Protesters, which include opposition politicians, youth groups and their followers plan a protest march on Sunday in central Kuwait. Kuwaitis have been protesting changes to an electoral law, announced last month by ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Some opposition politicians have said the changes are an attempt to give pro-government candidates an advantage in the parliamentary election on December 1. The government says the amendments were needed to preserve national unity. "The state does not ... want to use violence, but when the security of the homeland is endangered and the safety of its citizens at risk, it will not hesitate to use force in the framework of the law and the constitution," state news agency KUNA quoted Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah as saying. Opposition politicians have said they will boycott parliamentary elections next month, the second time Kuwait goes to the polls in 2012. An opposition bloc, made up of Islamists, liberal and tribal lawmakers, won a majority at the last elections in February. But that parliament was effectively dissolved by a court ruling in June which reinstated a more government-friendly assembly. However the old parliament was unable to meet due to a boycott by MPs, leading to another dissolution and a call by the emir for snap elections as a way out of the political deadlock. The Information Ministry said it had not issued any demonstration permits or received any applications for them for Sunday's march and added that the security forces had an important role to enforce the law and to protect citizens. On Thursday, the Interior Ministry said it would "deal firmly" with any gathering that violated the law. Rights group Amnesty International said on Thursday that Kuwait must ensure its citizens are able to express their opinions, including about the electoral law, in a free and peaceful manner. "The security forces must abide by international policing standards and refrain from using unlawful force in response to peaceful demonstrations," it said. Kuwait has one of the most open political systems in the Gulf and is home to an elected parliament with legislative powers. However, the 83-year-old emir has the final say in state affairs and picks the prime minister, who in turn selects a cabinet. Major portfolios are held by Al-Sabah family members. (Reporting by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Jon Hemming) =============== Specialist firefighters approach a burning well in a Kuwaiti oil field as they prepare an attempt to cap it in March 1991. HIDE CAPTION Rehabilitating a war zone << < 1 2 3 4 5 > >> STORY HIGHLIGHTS Kuwait was ecologically devastated during its annexation by Iraq in 1990-1 Environmental scientists have been working to rehabilitate the environment Iraqi troops dug extensive military fortifications in the desert, upsetting the ecosystem On retreat, they destroyed 700 oil wells in a "scorched earth" policy Kuwait (CNN) -- A former military bunker in the desert is one of the last places you might expect to find nature bloom. But above a maze of abandoned foxholes to the north of Kuwait's capital lies a landscape that shimmers green and purple with vegetation, attracting foxes, migratory birds and other wildlife. The Sabah Al-Ahmad nature reserve occupies land that once served as an important base for Saddam Hussein's army during its invasion of Kuwait from 1990-1. Iraq's annexation of its southern neighbor, which began in August 1990 and lasted until the liberation the following February, had a devastating impact not only on Kuwait's people, but its ecology, said Dr Samira Omar Asem of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. Can Kuwait restore its desert? One of Kuwait's leading environmental scientists, with three decades experience in resource conservation, Asem has played a major role in restoring Kuwait's war-ravaged ecosystems as head of the United Nations Compensation Commission's environmental remediation program. The body was established in 1991 to process claims and pay compensation damages suffered as a result of the occupation of Kuwait, and processed its final claim in 2005. The war, said Asem, resulted in "a lot of aggression against the environment" -- most infamously, the destruction of Kuwait's oil fields as part of Hussein's "scorched earth" policy on retreat. More than 700 wells were destroyed, choking the skies with black smoke in an inferno that raged for eight months before firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze. But substantial damage was inflicted during the occupation as well. As the Iraqi army swept through the country, it built an elaborate system of fortifications, destroying the fragile desert ecosystem. About 24,000 fortifications were built in the area of the reserve alone, she said. "I saw these bunkers immediately after liberation," she said. "They had services established under the ground. So you can imagine ... a natural reserve is being converted into a headquarters for military activities. The whole reserve was full of ammunition." The abandoned, unexploded ordnance, combined with oil from leaks or deliberately flooded trenches, has left a hazardous environment for rehabilitation workers to operate in. "All this heavy machinery and vehicles caused a lot of soil compaction, changed the landscape, and allowed more sand to move and caused a lot of erosion," she said. At the Sabah Al-Ahmad nature reserve, environmental remediation has involved planting trees and building ponds to bring back wildlife, resulting in a flourishing desert ecosystem. There was a lot of aggression against the environment Dr Samira Omar Asem, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research "This is a major achievement for the government of Kuwait, to preserve the natural history for the new generations and the existing generations," she said. "It is our contribution for the international community to say that we are serious about protecting our environment." But the reserve is only a first step. More than one billion barrels were burned and spilled in the oil field destruction at the end of the war, and the country still bears the scars of that legacy. Outside the reserve, the deserts remain affected, with large lakes of oil -- caused by leaked crude oil mixing with the billions of gallons of seawater used to extinguish the flames -- contaminating the sands across about 100 square kilometers of desert. The clean-up effort, says Asem, still has a long way to go. Follow the Inside the Middle East team on Twitter: Reporter: Zain Verjee: @zainverjeecnn, producer Jon Jensen: @jonjensen, producer Schams Elwazer: @SchamsCNN, writer Tim Hume: @tim_hume and digital producer Mairi Mackay @mairicnn. ============== الرئيسية راسلني عني 3-12-2012 نُشرت في سياسي, فيديو | لا تعليقات فيديو+صور: تغطية شاملة لمسيرات الكويت المطالبة بإسقاط المجلس والمرسوم والقوات الخاصة تقمعها بالقوة .. إنطلقت عدة مسيرات في شوارع الكويت اليوم 3-12-2012 في الساعة 10 ليلاً لليوم الثاني على التوالي (لمشاهدة مسيرات اليوم الأول اضغط هنا واليوم الثالث هنا) في عدة مناطق من مختلف محافظات الكويت إحتفالاً بنجاح المقاطعة الشعبية للإنتخابات التي قاطعها نحو 72% من المواطنين والمطالبة بإسقاط المرسوم والمجلس الجديد الذي جاء بنظام إنتخاب تم تغييره بمرسوم أميري، وقد قامت القوات الخاصة بقمع المسيرات في مختلف المناطق بإستخدام القنابل المسيلة للدموع والدخانية والرصاص المطاطي … فيديو: شيلة لـ الشاعر أحمد سيار (يا بلادي ثوري ثوري.. مانبي مجلس صُوري) من مسيرة الصباحية: رابط بعض الصور من المسيرات: (مقاطع الفيديو اسفل الصور) اعتقال المحامي خالد الهاجري من جمعية حقوق الإنسان أثناء قيامه بعمله برصد ومراقبة الأحداث: صورة من مسيرة “أم الهيمان”: دخول القوات الخاصة بين بيوت منطقة العارضية: دهس أحد الأطفال من قبل مركبات القوات الخاصة: احتراق أحد المنازل في منطقة “صباح الناصر” بسبب قنابل القوات الخاصة: اصابة عباس الشعبي برأسة بعد ضربة من قبل القوات الخاصة: صورة أحد القنابل المسيلة للدموع التي استخدمتها القوات الخاصة وكتب عليها “قد تسبب الموت” !! قنبلة دخانية للقوات الخاصة تم إلقائها بمحطة وقود في الفحيحيل: مواطن يساعد أحد رجال الأمن بعد تعرضه لقنبلة غازية من القوات الخاصة: حمود البراك ابن شقيق مسلم البراك بعد أن تم دهسه من قبل مركبات القوات الخاصة: … مقاطع الفيديو للمسيرات والقمع: مسيرة “الجهراء” رابط يا بلادي ثوري ثوري.. مانبي مجلس صصوري | من مسيرة الجهراء: رابط جانب آخر من مسيرة الجهراء: سلمية سلمية رابط لحظة هجوم القوات الخاصة بالقنابل على مسيرة ” الجهراء”: رابط مسيرة “منطقة الصباحية”: رابط جانب من مسيرة “منطقة الصباحية” وهتافات الشعب يريد اسقاط المجلس: رابط رمي قنابل مسيلة للدموع على بيوت “منطقة الصباحية” رابط مسيرة منطقة “الفروانية” رابط تصوير آخر لمسيرة منطقة “الفروانية” رابط مسيرة منطقة “الرقة” رابط تصوير آخر لمسيرة منطقة “الرقة”: رابط ملخص لأحداث قمع مسيرة الرقة مع أحد شباب المسيرة يشرح فيه ماحدث: رابط مسيرة “ضاحية صباح الناصر: وهتافات لن نسمح لك رابط فيديو شامل لأحداث ضاحية صباح الناصر: رابط لحظة احتراق أحد منازل ضاحية صباح الناصر بقنابل القوات الخاصة: رابط اختفالات أبناء ضاحية صباح الناصر بعد إنسحاب القوات الخاصة: رابط فيديو كلمات نواب كتلة الأغلبية بعد وصول مسيرة “الفروانية” إلى ديوان المناور حيث كان ينعقد اجتماع الاغلبية: رابط كلمة د.وليد الطبطبائي من الفروانية: رابط تصريح د.جمعان الحربش عن أحداث قمع المسيرات: رابط تصريح مسلم البراك عن أحداث قمع المسيرات وأسباب خروج المواطنين: رابط You might also like: فيديو: هتافات مسيرة كرامة وطن 2 وتدخل آليات القوات الخاصة ... فيديو: كلمة “مسلم البراك” بعد أحداث قمع مسيرات تطالب بإسقاط ... فيديو+صور: مسيرات لليوم “الثالث” في الكويت للمطالبة بإسقاط ... فيديو: لقاء د.فيصل المسلم مع “قناة روسيا اليوم” عن نجاح ... فيديو: المحامي عبدالله الأحمد و د.فواز الجدعي عن الطعن في ... 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Notify me of new posts by email. إعلان ابحث في الموقع تابعني الأحدث الأشهر تعليقات فيديو: أفراد القوات الخاصة يرمون الحجارة على المتظاهرين !! 5-12-2012 فيديو: نائب مجلس مرسوم الضرورة “صالح عاشور” ينتقد “ملك البحرين” لقيامه بمفرده بتغيير النظام الإنتخابي .. 5-12-2012 فيديو: د.عبيد الوسمي: شكوى صاحب المنزل المحترق بقنابل القوات ستُسجل رُغماً عنك يا وزير الداخلية 5-12-2012 فيديو+صور: مسيرات لليوم “الثالث” في الكويت للمطالبة بإسقاط “المرسوم” والمجلس الجديد .. 4-12-2012 فيديو: لقاء د.فيصل المسلم مع “قناة روسيا اليوم” عن نجاح المقاطعة الشعبية للإنتخابات ومطالب المعارضة.. 4-12-2012 فيديو: “أكثر الناس” مع د.محمد العوضي عن الثورة السورية بعنوان “سوريا.. المسكوت عنه” .. 4-12-2012 فيديو: كلمة “مسلم البراك” بعد أحداث قمع مسيرات تطالب بإسقاط المجلس في عدة مناطق بمختلف المحافظات .. 4-12-2012 فيديو: المحامي عبدالله الأحمد و د.فواز الجدعي عن الطعن في المرسوم في المحكمة الدستورية | توك شوك الوشيحي 4-12-2012 فيديو+صور: تغطية شاملة لمسيرات الكويت المطالبة بإسقاط المجلس والمرسوم والقوات الخاصة تقمعها بالقوة .. 3-12-2012 فيديو: افتتاحية توك شوك الوشيحي 3-12-2012 | عن كلمة فلاح بن جامع وتخوين صفاء الهاشم للمعارضة 3-12-2012 تصنيفات إسلامي تكنولوجي ثقافي رياضي سياسي شخصي عام فيديو قصائد كوميدي الأرشيف اختر شهر ديسمبر 2012 (39) نوفمبر 2012 (365) أكتوبر 2012 (292) سبتمبر 2012 (268) أغسطس 2012 (85) يوليو 2012 (3) يونيو 2012 (3) مارس 2012 (1) يناير 2012 (2) سبتمبر 2011 (1) مايو 2011 (6) أبريل 2011 (21) مارس 2011 (26) فبراير 2011 (23) يناير 2011 (40) ديسمبر 2010 (34) نوفمبر 2010 (4) أكتوبر 2010 (3) سبتمبر 2010 (2) أبريل 2010 (1) مارس 2010 (1) ديسمبر 2009 (7) يوليو 2009 (1) مايو 2009 (1) أبريل 2009 (1) haDyyWP | Powered by WordPress =========== Kuwait's government resigns to make way for new cabinet Mon, Dec 03 07:23 AM EST KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler accepted the government's resignation on Monday, the state news agency KUNA said, a step designed to make way for a new cabinet in the Gulf Arab state after parliamentary elections boycotted by the opposition. The election on Saturday was the second this year in the oil-producing nation, where a series of assemblies have collapsed due to a long-running power struggle between the parliament and the cabinet, in which the emir's ruling family holds the top posts. "The emir accepted the resignation of the government," KUNA said in an SMS news alert, adding that the ministers would serve in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet was formed. Under the constitution, a new government must be formed before the first session of the new parliament. Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said the new parliament would convene on December 16, KUNA said. Sheikh Sabah is expected to pick his prime minister next week, who will in turn form a cabinet that will be announced on December 14, said Kuwait's al-Watan daily, which is owned by a member of the ruling family. More than half the members of parliament elected on Saturday are newcomers to the 50-seat National Assembly. The chamber is expected to be more cooperative with the government than its predecessor because of the opposition boycott of the vote, and protests that divided the U.S.-allied, OPEC member state. (Reporting by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Mark Heinrich) ================ RPT-UPDATE 1-Kuwaitis protest on outskirts of capital after vote Thu, Dec 06 04:46 AM EST * Interior Ministry takes firm line on marches * Pockets of street unrest since Saturday's election * Youth groups, opposition plan demonstration Saturday By Sylvia Westall KUWAIT, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hundreds of young Kuwaitis chanting protest slogans gathered at a roundabout outside the Gulf Arab state's capital on Wednesday in the latest snap demonstration since a parliamentary election on Saturday. Police have broken up several marches outside Kuwait City since Saturday, part of protests triggered by changes to voting rules the opposition said were designed to skew elections in favour of pro-government candidates. The opposition, which includes Islamist and populist politicians, refused to stand in the election in protest at a decree issued by Kuwait's ruler which reduced the number of votes per citizens to one from four. The young men protesting on Wednesday, wearing surgical masks, balaclavas and scarves wrapped around their faces, marched along a main street in a district southwest of the capital and were followed by scores of cars honking their horns. The men let off fireworks and chanted "One, one, one, we don't want one vote!" Small groups of police gathered in the surrounding streets. Tens of thousands marched peacefully in the capital on Friday in what organisers said was the largest protest in Kuwaiti history, to urge people to shun the election. The authorised march, attended by men, women and children, was organised by youth groups and backed by opposition politicians on the eve of the election. They plan another march on Saturday. Rallies outside parliament have been held regularly and peacefully in the major oil producer for years, but police broke up three big marches in October and November with tear gas, saying organisers did not have a permit. BAN ON UNLICENSED GATHERINGS Protesters in those marches said they were pushing for reform, not an Arab Spring-style revolution like those that have ousted four Arab autocratic rulers since early last year. Kuwait, a U.S. ally and OPEC member, allows more political freedom than other Gulf Arab states but has been more readily reinforcing a ban on public gatherings of more than 20 people without a permit. The Interior Ministry said late on Tuesday it would take all necessary measures to prevent "unauthorised assembly" after dispersing protesters it said threw stones and tried to mow down police with cars. "The Interior Ministry will never allow any unauthorised gatherings whatever their aims and needs are." It said several police were hurt on Monday when some protesters in cars attempted to run over police. Others were hit by stones. The government had made it clear last month it would suppress unauthorised street protests to protect public safety, but analysts say the hard line could provoke deeper unrest. The ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, announced the change to the voting rules six weeks before the poll. He said it would fix flaws in the voting system and would help ensure national unity and stability. The opposition said the new rule was designed to prevent it winning the majority it held in the last parliament and has called for more demonstrations. ====================