Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
The royal court has announced that Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, known as the architect of the nation’s modern foreign policy, died today, Tuesdayat the age of 91
Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, the minister in charge of royal affairs, in a televised statement said: “With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait.”
The State television had cut its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of Koranic recital before the announcement.
Note that the emir had been receiving hospital treatment in the United States since July after undergoing surgery in Kuwait City.
Details on the nature of the emir’s illness or treatment are yet to be disclosed and the palace did not say where he died.
The emir ruled the oil-rich Gulf state since 2006, and had his appendix removed in 2002, two years after having a pacemaker fitted. He underwent urinary tract surgery in the US in 2007.
According to Kuwaiti law, when the emir is absent, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, 83, the emir’s half-brother, became acting ruler.
Sheikh Nawaf, an elder statesman who has held high office for decades including the defense and interior ministries, is now expected to be appointed the new ruler.