KUWAIT CITY (AFP) -- Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah accepted the resignation of the oil-rich emirate's cabinet a day after assuming power, state-run television reported.

The resignation of the cabinet was tendered by the deputy premier and interior minister, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, a half-brother of the emir.

"The emir issued a decree accepting the resignation of the cabinet, but asked ministers to continue running urgent matters until a new cabinet is formed," the television said.

The resignation of the cabinet is a routine procedure following the appointment of a new ruler, who is expected to name a new prime minister to form a government.

Sheikh Sabah, 76, served as prime minister since 2003 before he was nominated last week as emir hours after parliament ousted his predecessor Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah on health grounds.

Parliament on Sunday confirmed the nomination of Sheikh Sabah who took the oath to become the 15th ruler from the Al-Sabah dynasty, which has been ruling the emirate for the past 250 years.