Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has issued a decree reappointing the prime minister, Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, according to the state-run Kuna news agency.

The prime minister now has until 16 December to form a new government, before the first session of Kuwait’s newly elected National Assembly.

Sheikh Jaber al-Sabah was previously sworn in as Kuwait’s seventh prime minister, just a year ago, replacing Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Sabah, the emir’s nephew, who resigned following allegations of corruption levelled by the opposition in parliament.

The previous cabinet resigned on 3 December, following elections on 1 December. Its 15 members will remain in their posts as caretakers until a new cabinet is formed. It must include at least one elected parliamentarian.

The National Assembly must also elect a new parliamentary speaker and his deputy.