Kuwait's ruler has decided to dissolve parliament, Al Jazeera television reported on Tuesday, after Islamist lawmakers asked to question the prime minister over his government's handling of the economic crisis.

The television's correspondent in Kuwait quoted parliamentary sources as saying Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who has the last word in politics, would issue a decree within hours to dissolve parliament

There was no confirmation of the report on state media and officials could not be reached to comment.

The emir last dissolved parliament a year ago to end a row between MPs and the cabinet.

A move to question the prime minister, a nephew of the emir, had led to the resignation of the previous cabinet in November. Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah was later re-appointed to form a new government in the Gulf Arab state.