2023-12-16 14:51:37
The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, has died, state television reported on Saturday. He was 86 years old.
Kuwait TV interrupted its programming with verses from the Quran just before making the announcement.
Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized in late November for an undisclosed illness. Since then, the small oil nation has been waiting for news about his health. State media had previously reported that in March 2021 he traveled to the United States to undergo unspecified medical check-ups.
The health of Kuwaiti leaders remains a sensitive issue in this nation bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which has experienced internal palace struggles for power.
Nawaf took over as emir in 2020 following the death of his predecessor Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. The pain over the death of Sabah, known for his diplomacy and peace work, was felt throughout the region.
The emir had previously served as Kuwait’s interior and defense minister, but was not considered particularly active in the government outside of those positions. His election was not controversial, although his advanced age led analysts to suggest that his tenure would be short.
Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, 83, is the world’s oldest crown prince.
Crown Prince Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber, 83, became the new Emir of Kuwait.
He is the first in the line of succession and was named today as the new emir of Kuwait, the seventeenth in the history of the small Gulf country, as announced by the Council of Ministers.
Kuwait, a nation of about 4.2 million people and an area slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey, has the sixth largest known oil reserves in the world.
It has been a staunch ally of Washington since the 1991 Gulf War drove out Saddam Hussein’s occupying Iraqi forces. Kuwait has about 13,500 U.S. troops and is home to the forward headquarters of the U.S. military in the Middle East.
The funeral of the emir Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah
A poster displays a message of condolences and the photo of Emir Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah, who died today at the age of 86. AFP Photo
The Kuwaiti emir, Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah will be buried tomorrow, Sunday, in the capital Kuwait City in an intimate funeral limited only to his family, official sources reported.
“Funeral prayers for the body of His Highness will be held at nine o’clock tomorrow morning, Sunday, at the Bilal bin Rabah mosque in the Al Siddiq area. Attendance at the burial ceremony of the country’s late emir will be limited only to their relatives,” said the official Kuwaiti news agency, KUNA, citing the Royal Family.
After the death of the emir, the Council of Ministers announced official mourning in the country for forty days and the closure of official departments for three days.
Kuwait City with half flags even for the death of the emir. AFP photo.
1702741520
#emir #Kuwait #Nawaf #Ahmad #Sabah #died #age #replaced #worlds #oldest #crown #prince