AMILOADED MEDIA HUB NEWS UPDATE
Kuwait’s crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah has been named the new emir of the country after the death of his predecessor Sheikh Nawaf on Saturday.
The succession was announced by Issa Al-Kandari, deputy prime minister and minister of state for cabinet affairs.
Recall that Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died aged 86 on Saturday.
The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed but the emir was admitted to hospital late last month due to an emergency health problem.
Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021.
He was handed over most of his duties by Sheikh Nawaf himself owing to the latter’s ailing health. Under Kuwait’s constitution, the crown prince automatically becomes an emir.
He can then assume power after taking an oath in parliament. The new emir has up to a year to name an heir.
The new emir’s choice of crown prince and premier will be watched closely as a younger generation of Kuwait’s ruling family attempts to secure the position.
British prime minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he was saddened to hear of the passing of Sheikh Nawaf who was a great friend of the United Kingdom that would be remembered fondly.
Rishi Sunak “offered his deepest condolences to the Kuwaiti people and the Al Sabah family on the death of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.”
Leave a Reply