Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86, as announced by the royal court. This comes a little over three years after he assumed power in the U.S.-allied Gulf oil-producing nation. The exact cause of his death has not been immediately disclosed. Last month, the emir was hospitalized due to an emergency health problem, as reported by the state news agency, though he was described as being in a stable condition at the time.
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Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, aged 83 and effectively serving as Kuwait’s ruler since 2021 when the emir delegated most of his duties due to frailty, has been designated as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor. Kuwait has declared 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments. Leaders from around the world have expressed their condolences to Sheikh Meshal, the Al Sabah family, and the people of Kuwait while paying tribute to the late Sheikh Nawaf.