Kuwaiti ruler accepts resignations of defense, interior ministers

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait

Kuwait’s emir issued a decree on Thursday accepting the resignations of the country’s defense and interior ministers.

Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Mansour had tendered their resignations on Wednesday following a dispute with lawmakers.

In a statement, government spokesman Tareq al-Mirzem said an Emiri decree was issued accepting the resignations.

The decree appointed Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah as caretaker defense minister and Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Fares as caretaker interior minister.

On Wednesday, Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas quoted Al-Ali as saying that he stepped down because he "can no longer work in this atmosphere."

The current government was appointed in December in an attempt to resolve a long-running standoff with the elected parliament.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar