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KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has died, his office said in a statement read on state television on Tuesday.
Sheikh Sabah, 91, had ruled the Arab Gulf oil producer and US ally since 2006 and directed its foreign policy for more than 50 years. His designated successor is his brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
“With the greatest sadness and sorrow for the Kuwaiti people, the Islamic and Arab world and the peoples of friendly nations, Emiri Diwan mourns the death of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait,” his office said.
Sheikh Sabah sought to balance relations with Kuwait’s larger neighbors, forging closer ties with Saudi Arabia, rebuilding ties with former occupying Iraq, and maintaining an open dialogue with Iran. He tried to mediate a Gulf dispute that saw Riyadh and its allies impose a boycott of Qatar.
A succession is not expected to affect oil policy or foreign investment strategy through the Kuwait Investment Authority, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. Oil policy is established by the country’s Supreme Petroleum Council, appointed by the emir.
The election of the new emir of crown prince and prime minister, who would be tasked with managing the government’s often difficult relationship with parliament, will be closely watched, especially at a time when Kuwait’s finances have been affected by the low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.
