Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, dissolved parliament Wednesday, two days after all cabinet ministers resigned to protest parliament's obstruction of their work, al- Jazeera television reported.

The emir cut short a private visit to Morocco Tuesday after the mass resignation of ministers, marking an escalation of political battles between the cabinet and parliament.

The cabinet has been less than one year in office but many of its members faced grilling and questioning by lawmakers.

Islamist lawmakers have led the questioning of ministers over corruption and mismanagement allegations.

Under the constitution, dissolving parliament is followed by an early election to be held within 60 days.

Kuwait has seen the resignation of three cabinets, which led to the dissolution of parliament and elections, since the emir came to the throne of the tiny oil-rich country in 2006.

Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 19 Mart 2008, 16:02