Kuwaiti Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali has announced that the offices of the Al-Jazeera channel will re-open in Kuwait City. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali said that the decision to re-open the Al Jazeera offices stemmed from the authority’s concern over the upcoming Kuwaiti election, and the need for transparent, credible and neutral coverage. He added that the Kuwaiti government would be extending an open invitation to the international press to cover the elections in February.

Arab Times reports that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry has closed down Al-Mustaqbal daily and Mubasher Satellite Channel, both owned by Sheikh Salem Al-Ali. According to the source, the closure was based on their violation of commercial license related regulations, and they will remain closed until the management has completed necessary procedures in that regard.

The Arab Times reports that following the shutting down of Al Jazeera news channel’s Kuwait office,  Kuwait’s liberal MP, Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, has submitted a proposal suggesting amendments to the Penal Code, the Audio and Visual Law and the Press and Publications Law that enables greater media and press freedom. The changes seek to cancel prison sentences and shifting total authority of implementing punishments from the Ministry of Information.