The crisis followed requests by the assembly to question the interior minister on such issues as the drugs trade and human rights.

A BBC correspondent says their repeated claims of corruption and questions about arms imports had also raised tensions.

The emir presided over an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday. A statement said the cabinet had examined the obstacles hindering co-operation.

The emir is expected to meet leading politicians later on Sunday.

Boycott of parliament

The dispute came to a head last week when Cabinet ministers boycotted a parliamentary session.

The emir stepped-in to mediate between the national assembly and government ministers, many of whom belong to the ruling al-Sabah family.

The Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdallah al-Sabah, had complained that parliament was paralysing his government's work.

The BBC correspondent says relations have never been easy between the al-Sabah family and the national assembly - the only elected parliament in the Gulf.

The emir has dissolved the assembly twice since it was set up 36 years ago.

In March the government resigned over a dispute with Islamic parliamentarians, but the ruling family retained key posts in the new cabinet.