Kuwait’s crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has been designated the country’s new emir following the death of his predecessor, Sheikh Nawaf, on Saturday, according to state television.
“Kuwait’s cabinet names crown prince, his highness Sheikh Meshal… emir of the state of Kuwait,” the broadcaster said.
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died on Saturday aged 86, the royal court said, after three years in power marked by repeated political disputes.
“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 state television.
Before the announcement, the channel had cut its usual programming and shifted to a broadcast of a Koranic recital.
According to the official KUNA news agency, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized “due to an emergency health problem” in November. It made no mention of his illness, but he was later declared to be in stable condition.
Concerns about his health were frequent during his reign, given his age.
Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince in 2006 by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He became emir after Sheikh Sabah died in September 2020, at the age of 91.