KUWAIT, Dec 6 (Saba) -- National Assembly Speaker Jassim Al-Kharafi stressed that he had not received any tendered resignations from MPs, and that the dissolution of the parliament - which he said had no link to resignations - was "in the hands of His Highness the Amir alone." His comments came in reply to reporters on Monday, after talk of a joint resignation of MPs and whether after a certain number of resignations the parliament would be dissolved, according to Kuwait news Agency (KUNA).

"No, no there isn't, the disolution of the National Assembly is in the hands of HH the Amir alone and has no relation to the number of resignations," he said, adding "no MPs have stepped forth to resign." "In case of the resignation of an MP, there are constitutional and legal matters that should be taken into account, whereby the resignation is reviewed by the National Assembly, with regulations have outlined the period in which voters will be able to elect a candidate through supplementary elections. Nothing stands in the way of the MP reapplying for candidacy."

He also called on parliamentary blocs to stay composed, and work to maintain "the democratic institution." "I believe we should wait until the next parliamentary session, there is an agenda we must look into. We should keep going and not stop working." Al-Kharafi also congratulated the Kuwait national football team after winning the Gulf Cup in Yemen.

Saba