Kuwait ? Kuwait’s ailing emir has agreed to abdicate under a deal worked out within the ruling family, a lawmaker said Monday – paving the way for the prime minister and longtime de facto ruler to take the reins of power.

The accord followed an unprecedented public quarrel within the ruling family over who would lead the country, one of Washington’s most steadfast allies in the Middle East and a major oil producer, after the death of its longtime leader.

One faction backed the ailing new emir, Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, and the other – including the Cabinet – supported the prime minister, half brother to the previous leader, who died Jan. 15.

The two camps met Monday night to try to reach a compromise before a parliament debate today over whether Sheik Saad should be ousted in favor of the prime minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah.

In announcing the abdication deal, lawmaker Nasser al-Saneh said “an agreement has been reached in the family and (Sheik Saad) will sign the abdication papers tomorrow.”