The government of the Gulf state of Kuwait has resigned over a power struggle with parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Sabah handed Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmed al-Sabah a letter of resignation, the state news agency KUNA reported. Details of the background were not given.

It is the fifth time in more than two years that Kuwait's royal-appointed government has resigned. The now outgoing government was only sworn in in October. Most recently, she argued with parliament about a possible debt relief for the country's citizens. The government classified the National Assembly's initiative as too expensive.

However, the dispute between parliament and government has been smoldering for a long time and is also preventing the implementation of important reforms. In the last parliamentary elections at the end of September, many Kuwaitis voted for opposition politicians, who already held many seats in previous national assemblies. The opposition accuses Kuwait's leadership of corruption and mismanagement.

The small Gulf neighbor has the most active parliament in the region, which is granted a little more influence over legislation than in neighboring countries. However, actual power lies in the hands of the ruling family.