(Provides mourning interval in paragraph 3, tributes by world leaders in paras 5-6)
By Ahmed Hagagy
KUWAIT, Dec 16 (Reuters) – Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday, aged 86, in line with the royal court docket, simply over three years after assuming energy within the U.S.-allied Gulf oil producer.
The reason for his loss of life was not instantly disclosed. The emir was admitted to hospital late final month attributable to what the state information company described on the time as an emergency well being downside however mentioned that he was in a steady situation.
Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021, when the frail emir handed over most his duties, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor.
Kuwait introduced 40 days of mourning and a 3 day closure of official departments. World leaders paid tribute to Sheikh Nawaf and provided their condolences to his successor, Sheikh Meshal, the Al Sabah household and the individuals of Kuwait.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mentioned in an announcement on social media platform X that he was saddened to listen to of the passing of Sheikh Nawaf, who he described as an amazing good friend of the UK that may be remembered fondly.
Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wrote on X that Sheikh Nawaf had been a clever chief who performed a significant position in strengthening Kuwait-UAE relations.
Sheikh Nawaf turned emir in September 2020 following the loss of life of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had dominated for greater than a decade and formed the state’s international coverage for over 50 years.
Sheikh Nawaf was seen by diplomats as a consensus builder although his reign was marked by an intense standoff between the federal government and elected parliament, which had hindered key structural reforms within the oil wealthy Gulf state. In current months, consensus returned between the federal government and the parliament.
Kuwait, holder of the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves, borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and lies throughout the Gulf from Iran. It was invaded and occupied by Iraq in 1990, sparking the primary Gulf battle a number of months later in 1991 when the US and different nations defeated Iraq and liberated Kuwait.
Since he took over in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf maintained a international coverage that balanced ties with these neighbours, while domestically eight governments had been fashioned beneath his rule.
Underneath Kuwait’s structure, the crown prince mechanically turns into emir however assumes energy solely after taking an oath in parliament. The brand new emir has as much as a yr to call an inheritor.
Analysts and diplomats say that Sheikh Nawaf, and his crown prince Sheikh Meshal, each appeared to align Kuwait extra carefully with regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia.
The brand new emir’s alternative of crown prince and premier – who could be tasked with managing the federal government’s usually stormy relationship with parliament – will likely be watched carefully as a youthful era of Kuwait’s ruling household jostles for place.
Such factional struggles throughout the Al Sabah household have usually performed out in parliament as contenders for succession construct their very own political capital and home base.
Earlier than handing over most of his constitutional duties to his designated inheritor, Sheikh Nawaf tried to safe a detente on the home political scene, together with by issuing an amnesty pardoning dissidents that had been long-sought by opposition figures.
However the stalemate continued, leaving Sheikh Meshal to attempt to put an finish to the political bickering this yr by dissolving parliament and holding early elections in June.
Kuwait bans parliamentary events however continues to be one of many area’s most politically liberal states, with a voluble political debate and the area’s strongest elected legislative meeting that features Sunnis, Shi’ites, liberals and Islamists. (Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy, Clauda Tanios and Adam Makary; Writing by Alexander Cornwell and Gulf Bureau, Modifying by Alison Williams, Kirsten Donovan)
