Kuwaiti King Sheikh Nawaf dies, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal succeeds

Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized late last month for what the Kuwaiti state news agency described as a health emergency. Kuwait declared 40 days of mourning and closed official offices for three days.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah (83 years old), who has been the de facto ruler of Kuwait since 2021 after the health problems of the Emir Sheikh Nawaf, has become the successor. He is the half-brother of the recently deceased Emir.

Sheikh Nawaf became king in September 2020 following the death of his brother, the late Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for more than a decade in the country with the world's seventh-largest oil reserves.

Kuwait borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and is located across a gulf from Iran. It was invaded by Iraq in 1990, sparking the 1991 Gulf War when the US and other nations defeated Iraq and liberated Kuwait.

Under Kuwait's constitution, the Crown Prince automatically becomes King but only takes power after being sworn in before Parliament . The new King has one year to choose an heir, the new Crown Prince.

World leaders have paid tribute to Sheikh Nawaf's family and sent condolences to the Kuwaiti people. US President Joe Biden described Sheikh Nawaf as a "treasured partner and true friend of the United States".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a joint statement that Sheikh Nawaf had “relentlessly dedicated and committed himself to serving his country, even in turbulent times”.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said Sheikh Nawaf was an outstanding leader who played a key role in strengthening Kuwait-UAE relations. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was saddened to learn of the death of Sheikh Nawaf, who he described as a great friend of the UK.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)