Emir of Kuwait accepts government's resignation

Kuwait's prime minister submitted his Cabinet's resignation last week

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sabah Al Khalid meets the country's Emir, Sheikh Nawaf, to present the resignation of his Cabinet. Reuters

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid's Cabinet, state news agency Kuna reported on Monday.

His Cabinet will run "urgent affairs" in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed, Kuna said.

Sheikh Sabah submitted the resignation of his government to Sheikh Nawaf on January 13, days before the prime minister was due to be questioned in Parliament over his choice of ministers and other issues.

The government said the resignation was prompted by "developments in the relationship between the National Assembly [Parliament] and the government".

The December 5 elections were the first since Sheikh Nawaf took office as emir in September after the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah, at the age of 91.

Kuwait's latest Parliament comprised mostly new faces after voters returned only 19 of the 44 sitting members who sought re-election last month.

In addition to its elected members, Cabinet ministers also sit in parliament.

Kuwait’s Parliament has the power to pass legislation and question ministers, while senior government posts are occupied by members of the ruling family.