Kuwait emir to abdicate: Official

Kuwait's ailing emir Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah has agreed to abdicate in order to resolve the oil-rich state's political crisis.

Kuwait's ailing emir Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah has agreed to abdicate in order to resolve the oil-rich state's political crisis and will be replaced by Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, a government official said on Monday.

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"An agreement was reached stipulating that the emir will abdicate" following a meeting between Sheikh Sabah and Sheikh Salem al-Ali al-Sabah, the emir's cousin and main supporter, the official said, requesting anonymity.

"An announcement will be made either tonight or early Tuesday" before a scheduled session of parliament at which the house was due to examine a government request to oust the emir on health grounds.