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Kuwait: Thousands demonstrate to protest crackdown on illegal tribal primaries | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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KUWAIT CITY (AP) – Kuwaiti authorities say thousands have demonstrated to protest a government crackdown on illegal tribal primaries.

The Interior Ministry says members of the crowd used stones to pelt a building where members of the Mutair tribe were being detained for holding parliamentary primaries that have been banned since 1998.

Officials say there were no injuries in Saturday’s confrontation, the third between police and tribesman since Kuwait’s ruler dissolved parliament and ordered early elections on May 17. The ministry announced the protest in a statement Sunday.

Authorities banned the primaries because they are believed to encourage allegiance to tribes rather than to the state.

Tribesmen believe they should be able to choose whoever they want to run for parliament.