Kuwait parliament suspends lawmaker for 'indecent behaviour'

Manama: Kuwait's parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly voted in favour of suspending a lawmaker for two weeks after he reportedly spat on a fellow MP.

MPs also accused Mohammad Al Juwaihal of being drunk when he attended the session.

Under the ban, Al Juwaihal, a controversial figure who was elected to parliament in the February elections, will be deprived of attending the plenary sessions and the meetings of the committees.

Witnesses said that in his heated argument with MP Hamad Matar, Al Juwaihal spat at him and made obscene gestures.

Several MPs said that Al Juwaihal was not in a normal state and that he was drunk, prompting calls to apply the bylaws and bar him from entering the parliament or attending debates.

MP Osama Al Munawer said that it was the fifth time that Al Juwaihal was drunk when he arrived at the parliament. His claim was supported by fellow MP Juma Al Harbesh who said that he was aware that Al Juwaihal was drunk.

MP Abdullah Al Barghash warned of dire consequences if no action was taken against Al Juwaihal.

Kuwait's parliament has been often mired in controversies sparked by bitter standoffs between lawmakers, but charges of drunkenness are rare.

Several MPs called for legal action against Al Juwaihal.