KUWAIT CITY, Feb 6: The Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) has asked the Kuwaiti government to expel the Syrian ambassador and cancel the Hala February festivities in solidarity with the Syrians.
This came at a press conference organized Monday by DRB members MPs Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash, Falah Al-Sawagh and Dr Faisal Al-Mislim at the latter’s diwaniya.

In a related development, the Ministry of Information has announced its decision not to broadcast Hala February Festival concerts on Kuwait television and radio in solidarity with the people of Syria.
According to the ministry’s press statement, the decision was taken due to the difficulties currently experienced by some Arab countries, particularly Syria.

Meanwhile, MP-elect Mohammed Al-Juwaihel has asked Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud to deport all those who stormed the Syrian embassy on Saturday, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

These people did not respect the laws of the country, said Al-Juwaihel, adding “instead of registering a case against the 32 people arrested for the act, security and judicial authorities should take swift action and deport them so that it serves as an example for others.”

Al-Juwaihel said the Minister of Interior has the authority to issue administrative deportation orders and he must use it. “Otherwise, he will face parliamentary questioning,” threatened Al-Juwaihel.

Footage
Meanwhile, the Syrian Embassy handed over the footage of the storming incident recorded by surveillance cameras to the Directorate General of Criminal Investigations and Department of Criminal Evidence, an informed security source told Al-Jarida daily.

The source said investigators started interrogating the 38 defendants based on the footage of the incident and added that the defendants did not deny any of the charges.

The charges include storming the embassy, vandalizing it, trying to attack the ambassador, lowering the Syrian flag and hoisting the revolution flag. The protesters emphasized that their acts were in response to the Syrian ruling regime’s “acts of brutality against the Syrian people.”

According to other security sources, one of the detainees told interrogators that the storming event was not pre-planned and that they had all gathered to hold a peaceful protest, but the massacre in the city of Homs sparked anger and they broke into the embassy, reports Al-Qabas daily.
Sources said there were suspicions that there was some kind of coordination and planning because the storming incident coincided with similar demonstrations in a number of Arab and foreign countries. It was a dangerous act and legal action must be taken against all involved so that such incidents do not get repeated, noted sources.

The people of Russia should protest against their government’s attitude towards the Syrian Baath regime, especially since the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League have called on everyone to play a vital role in ending the bloodshed in Syria, says MP-elect Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei.

Al-Tabtabaei made the appeal in a protest action attended by some Kuwaitis in front of the Russian Embassy recently. He explained the protest was organized as a result of the decision of Russia and China to veto the UN Security Council resolution condemning the atrocious acts of the Syrian regime. He said the council must adopt a role similar to what it previously played in Kuwait.

According to Al-Tabtabaei, the first actions that will be taken by the new Kuwaiti National Assembly include cutting ties with the Syrian government, expulsion of the Syrian ambassador to Kuwait and recognition of the transitional council.
Al-Tabtabaei revealed some individuals inside the embassy fired gunshots at the protestors, causing injuries to two of them.

Elsewhere, the GCC Association Support Syrian People also held a sit-in near the Syrian Embassy in Mishref in protest against the massacre of innocent civilians in Syria.
The demonstrators demanded dismissal of the Syrian ambassador to Kuwait and recognition of the Syrian National Council as representative of the people of Syria. They also urged the Arab countries to mount pressure on Russia and China to withdraw their support for the regime of Bashar Al-Assad.
Meanwhile, Al-Juwaihil has announced his intention to grill HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah if he fails to apply the Constitution on everybody without discrimination, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In a recent press statement, Al-Juwaihil warned Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak against accommodating the former opposition lawmakers, who might have turned around to become pro-government. He asked the premier not to influence, receive or make any leeway for the official transactions of lawmakers.

Disclosing he will accept only the Interior Ministry portfolio in case a ministerial post is offered to him, Al-Juwaihil explained this will allow him to prosecute those who stormed the Syrian Embassy and Al-Watan TV, as well as those who burned down campaign tents. He pointed out he is not a troublemaker but he stands firm by his words all the time and he is ready to face those keen on imposing their will on the society.

Addressing MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Al-Juwaihil said, “You are not an orphan in the National Assembly. Many are willing to align with your projects and position against those trying to quash the role of the National Democratic Alliance in protecting the rights of the country and citizens. This position is in conflict with the interests of certain former lawmakers.”
Al-Juwaihil also give whoever is elected speaker 30 days, starting from the opening of the legislature, to replace all non-Kuwaiti staff at the Parliament, including consultants and journalists. “Kuwait is for Kuwaitis, so we will not accept other entities; only our fellowmen,” he concluded.