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Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming power in the US-allied Gulf oil producer.
The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed. The emir was admitted to hospital late last month due to what the state news agency described at the time as an emergency health problem.
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 announced 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments. World leaders paid tribute to Sheikh Nawaf and offered their condolences to his successor, the Al Sabah family and the people of Kuwait.
United States President Joe Biden described Sheikh Nawaf as a “valued partner and true friend of the United States”, and pledged to “continue to strengthen the longstanding ties” between the countries.
Sheikh Nawaf became emir in September 2020 following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for more than a decade and shaped the state’s foreign policy for more than 50 years.
