Kuwait City: Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah today dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament and called for new elections on May 17.

The move came two days after cabinet ministers submitted their resignations alleging a lack of cooperation from MPs.

In a televised address, the ruling emir of the oil-rich Gulf Arab state said he took the decision because of "irresponsible behaviour" and in order to "safeguard national unity".

The emir last dissolved parliament in May 2006 following a bitter confrontation between the government and opposition MPs over reducing the number of electoral districts.

In the general elections that were held in June 2006,the nationalist and Islamic opposition scored a resounding victory occupying a majority in the 50-member house.

Sheikh Sabah yesterday cut short a private visit abroad to settle the latest crisis in OPEC s fourth-largest producer before holding talks with parliament speaker Jassem al-Khorafi, the crown prince and with the prime minister.

The emir had the option of either accepting the government s resignation and naming a new premier or issuing a decree dissolving parliament and calling early polls.

The government blames parliament for the crisis, but the speaker argued that the government should share responsibility.

"It is unfair to hold parliament responsible for all the negative issues because ministers also contributed to the crisis," Khorafi told reporters outside parliament before the emir s decree was announced.

Source : PTI