Kuwait sets Nov. 26 as date for parliamentary elections

KUWAIT CITY, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Kuwait announced it will hold new elections in November, a day after Kuwait's ruler dissolved parliament, complaining of a "lack of cooperation" between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved the parliament for the ninth time since 1962 on Sunday. In addition to the "lack of cooperation," he had cited "security challenges and volatile regional developments," according to the Kuwait News Agency.

Every member of the cabinet also resigned Sunday.

The term of the parliament, known as the Kuwaiti National Assembly, was to last through July 2017. New elections will now be held on Nov. 26.

Islamist and populist groups boycotted the last elections in 2013.

The global price of oil has been a concern, as it has been cut in half from more than $100 a barrel during the summer of 2014.

The country has trimmed public spending, including oil subsidies. In April, attempts to trim public sector salaries drew unrest in the oil sector.