Kuwait

The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Saturday (Dec 16), died at the age of 86, after being in power for three years, said the royal court.

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“With great sadness and sorrow, we – the Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the friendly peoples of the world – mourn the late His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away to his Lord today,” said a statement aired on Kuwaiti state television.

State television made the announcement after halting its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of the Koranic recital.

Kuwait announced 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments starting from Sunday to Tuesday. 

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Sheikh Nawaf was admitted to the hospital in the month of November "due to an emergency health problem", according to the official KUNA news agency, which did not share many details about his illness. He was later declared in stable condition.

His health had been a concern during his term given his age.

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Sheikh Nawaf was designated crown prince in 2006 by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and took over as emir when Sheikh Sabah passed away in Sep 2020 at the age of 91.

He had to navigate the economy through a crisis which was caused by a drop in oil prices in the year 2020.

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The crown prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, another half-brother, is 83-year-old and much attention will be now focused on whether the family brings in a younger generation ruler.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler from 1921 to 1950 Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

He began his political career at the age of 25 as governor of Hawalli province, where he remained until 1978 when he started a decade as interior minister. 

India declares one-day state mourning

India has declared a one-day state of mourning throughout the nation on Sunday as a mark of respect to Sheikh Nawaf.

"His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait passed away on December 16, 2023. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has decided that there will be one day's state mourning (/topic/state-mourning) on December 17, 2023, throughout India," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in an official release.

"The National Flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day," the MHA release added.

Sheikh Meshal named new emir

Kuwait's crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was named the country's new emir in an emergency cabinet meeting after Sheikh Nawaf's passing, state television reported.

"Kuwait's cabinet names crown prince, his highness Sheikh Meshal... emir of the state of Kuwait," the broadcaster said.

Who is Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Meshal?

83-year-old Sheikh Meshal, before he was named as the crown prince three years ago, spent much of his career helping build the Gulf state's security and defence.

He was further pushed into the spotlight after he handed most of the unstable Emir Sheikh Nawaf's duties in Nov 2021.

Sheikh Meshal became Kuwait's third emir in just over three years. Until 2020, the post was held for 14 years by Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, who was known in the Arab world for helping lead Kuwait out of the ruins of Iraq's 1990 invasion.

(With inputs from agencies)