year , since before the Arab Spring brought about demonstrations throughout the Arab world . But the anti-corruption protests have turned more violent recently , after members of the Kuwaiti opposition saw revolutions in Tunisia , Egypt , and Libya , and fighting between protesters and government forces in Syria . Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah has had six previous governments brought down by opposition elements over the years . The Kuwaiti opposition is now pushing not only for the downfall of his government , but for the prime minister himself to step down . Many chanted that they want to `` overthrow '' him , using iconic slogans of the Arab Spring . The emir , however , is firmly committed to keeping al-Sabah , a member of the royal family , in office . Government representative Ali Fahad Al-Rashid warned Thursday that the country will be taking new steps against the protesters . `` The actions witnessed yesterday are unfamiliar to the Kuwaiti society and threaten the security and stability of the country 's general system , '' he said , according to KUNA . `` Therefore , national responsibility calls for stricter measures to confront this
Kuwait City -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kuwait 's leaders met in emergency session Thursday , vowing to clamp down on violence after protesters forced their way inside Parliament . `` The adoption of such a chaotic approach by the rioters '' risked the country 's security and `` is considered to be an unprecedented step on the path to anarchy and lawlessness , '' the emir of Kuwait , Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah , said in comments quoted by state-run news agency KUNA . The protests late Wednesday led to the injury of five police and Kuwait National Guard officers , the Interior Ministry said . Members of the opposition vow to step up their protests . `` The popular opposition will escalate , '' Saad Alajmi , former minister of information and now a prominent opposition figure , told CNN . `` This is a people 's opposition , '' he added . Alajmi called for the Parliament to dissolve . U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said Kuwait has a history of `` political freedom and cooperation '' and that it should respect peaceful protests . Protests in Kuwait have taken place at times throughout the