Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf passes away aged 86

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah passed away aged 86 on Saturday.

Sheikh Nawaf, who will be laid to rest on Sunday.

As reported he had been hospitalized in November for an undisclosed “emergency,” but had been said to be in stable condition.

“With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” said a statement aired on Kuwaiti state television.

Kuwait announced 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments.

Meanwhile, 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 of his duties, has been named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor.

The government of Kuwait called upon Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmed al-Sabah as the incoming ruler based on Article 4 of the succession law.

The next step is the new emir swearing in parliament.

Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmed al-Sabah is going to be Kuwait’s seventeenth emir.

Late Sheikh Nawaf had previously served Kuwait for over 50 years in various positions.