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He was considered one of the most experienced diplomats in the Arab world: Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah tried for decades to strike a balance in the Gulf region. Now the Emir of Kuwait has died at the age of 91.
The Emir of Kuwait has died. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah died Tuesday at the age of 91, state television reported. The monarch has ruled the oil-rich state in the Persian Gulf, which borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia, since 2006.
Good relations with the USA.
Sheikh Sabah was Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for four decades before succeeding his ailing cousin Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah. In terms of foreign policy, he attaches great importance to close ties with the United States. As emir, he had to deal with the aftermath of the 2011 Arab Spring protests and falling oil prices.
The emir acted as a peacemaker and tried to keep Kuwait out of conflict in the region. In relations with other states, he relied on a moderate and balanced attitude and therefore also maintained good relations with Iran, suspected by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Sheikh Sabah also tried to defuse the Riyadh-led blockade of Qatar.
Followers saw him as a serene ruler who stabilized Kuwait in a region shaken by unrest and military violence. Critics argued that freedom of expression had suffered under Sheikh Sabah’s rule. Dozens of bloggers and the opposition have been arrested in recent years on charges of defaming the emir.
The 83-year-old half-brother is the successor.
In July, the emir was hospitalized for an operation. Details about his health or possible complaints were kept under lock and key.
According to government information, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, 83, the deceased’s half-brother, was sworn in as his successor. Sheikh Sabah had recently assumed the duties of the emir.
