Kuwaiti parliament votes unanimously to oust ailing emir

Kuwait’s parliament today voted unanimously to oust the ailing emir, apparently ending a leadership crisis that had gripped the oil-rich US ally for nine days.

Kuwait MP Ali al-Rashed said that parliament voted to remove Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah only moments before his letter of abdication reached the legislature.

It was not immediately known if Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, the prime minister, would take over as was widely expected.

The law under which the emir was deposed calls for his replacement to be the crown prince.

Sheikh Sabah had not yet officially been named to the post, but last Friday some royal family members asked him to take charge of the country.