KUWAIT CITY, Oct 4: Lawmakers have voiced optimism over the government-Parliament meeting scheduled for Wednesday to discuss repercussions of the fuel price hike. National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Ghanim hopes the two authorities will reach an agreement on gasoline prices without harming the citizens.

He said he was honored to discuss the issue with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Minister of Finance and acting Oil Minister Anas Al-Saleh on Tuesday.

He disclosed that they agreed to continue the discussion during his meeting with the premier and finance minister on Wednesday morning — before the meeting of the two authorities. He confirmed the Parliament will face the economic challenges without affecting the standard of living of citizens. He stressed that any crisis will be surmounted through meetings, consultations and cooperation between the two authorities. He affirmed the MPs are keen on attending the meeting to achieve positive results. “We will overcome the repercussions of raising gasoline prices through dialogue with the government,” he added.

Meanwhile, MP Yusuf Al-Zalzalah emphasized the need to grant financial support to citizens in view of the fuel price hike and to closely monitor the prices of goods. He looks forward to hearing these recommendations in Wednesday’s meeting. MP Faris Al-Otaibi wishes for stronger coordination between the two authorities in order to find radical solutions, while MP Khalaf Al-Dumaitheer Al-Enezi trusts the ability of these authorities to find an appropriate solution.

He explained he doesn’t know the details of the expected solution, “but we want to emphasize that there is fl exibility on the part of the government with more than 70 percent signs of a breakthrough.” He also underscored the importance of treating citizens fairly, indicating they should not bear the consequences of the government’s way of dealing with the current economic situation.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff