Kuwait emir orders zero tolerance towards protests

Dubai: Kuwait's Emir yesterday ordered the interior ministry and the National Guard to take all necessary measures to confront "attempts to undermine the country's public order." Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah also ordered a strict application of the law to "put an end to all provocative and shameful acts and uphold the state of law and institutions," Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) reported. Both orders were issued during an emergency meeting of the cabinet hours after hundreds of people, led by opposition lawmakers, muscled their way through a police cordon and stormed the parliament to press for the resignation or sacking of the government. Video clips and photos posted on Kuwaiti media and social networks showed the protesters forcing their way into the parliament building and the major hall where they were seen sitting on the lawmakers' chairs, having their pictures taken next to the Speaker's chair or brandishing his wooden gavel. The interior ministry said that five public security men and one National Guard serviceman were injured in the storming. Witnesses said that the unprecedented assault on parliament occurred after protesters left the public square where they held a rally and decided to march on to the prime minister's residence. However, as policemen prevented them from moving forward, clashes erupted, after protesters hurled bottles of water at the police who responded by using their batons. According to reports, five people were injured.