Kuwait Emir al-Sabah dissolves parliament

Kuwait's parliament has now been dissolved five times since 2006

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has dissolved the country's parliament, paving the way for snap elections, according to state media.

The dissolution and new elections have been a major demand of the Islamist-led opposition.

In June the Constitutional Court annulled February's poll, which saw major gains for the opposition, and dissolved the new parliament.

Sunday's dissolution was the fifth since 2006.

Kuwait's parliament has not met for several months because of an opposition boycott.

It has the most powers of any elected body in the Gulf, and opposition MPs openly criticise the ruling Sabah family.

But the Sabahs retains full control over key government and executive posts.

The latest move comes despite another decision by the court two weeks ago which prevents the government from changing election boundaries.

The opposition said the change in law would have allowed the government to alter the boundaries to its advantage ahead of fresh elections, but the government said the court action was to safeguard the outcome from possible legal challenges.