In a joint statement to reporters, the country’s defense and interior ministers decried their inability to achieve “the reforms and development that the Kuwaiti people deserve” and a national political atmosphere “full of quarreling.” It was not immediately clear whether the prime minister would accept their resignations. Their defiant move threatens to plunge Kuwait’s government into further chaos at a time of deepening gridlock between the Amir appointed Cabinet and elected National Assembly.

Kuwait’s rowdy parliament, a rarity in the autocratic region of Arabian Gulf sheikhdoms, has held up key social and economic reforms while hauling in ministers for questioning about matters related to corruption. Kuwait bans political parties but gives parliament power to pass and block laws, question ministers and submit no-confidence votes against senior officials.