Kuwaiti leader Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed dies aged 86

Posted by Editor on December 16, 2023 – 4:10 pm

Kuwait’s chief Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (Photograph by Nasser Waggi / AP)

Kuwait’s chief Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has died on the age of 86, Kuwaiti state TV introduced.

The sheikh had led the oil-rich nation for the final three years after taking up from his half brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

The crown prince, 83-year-old Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has been named as his successor.

Kuwait has introduced 40 days of mourning and authorities places of work are to shut for 3 days.

“With nice disappointment and sorrow, we mourn… the dying of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah” a press release aired on state TV stated.

Sheikh Nawaf was named crown prince in 2006 and took over as emir in 2020.

Born in 1937, he was the fifth son of Kuwait’s former ruler Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

He was defence minister when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990, sparking the start of the Gulf Conflict, and later went onto function inside minister.

In comparison with his predecessor, who served as emir for greater than a decade and formed the nation’s overseas coverage for 50 years, Sheikh Nawaf’s time as ruler was comparatively brief.

Kuwait – which has a inhabitants of 4.8 million, together with 3.4 million overseas employees – has the world’s sixth-largest recognized oil reserves and is a serious US ally.

The emirate’s parliament has probably the most powers of any elected physique within the Gulf and opposition MPs overtly criticise the Sabahs.

Nevertheless, the ruling household retains full management over key authorities and government posts and the emir has the final say in political issues. He additionally has the ability to override or dissolve parliament, and name elections.

Common programming on TV channels has been lower following the announcement.

(BBC)