Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies, Sheikh Meshal named as successor

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday, aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming power in the U.S.-allied Gulf oil producer, Report informs, citing Reuters.

The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed. The emir was admitted to the hospital late last month due to what the state news agency described at the time as an emergency health problem, but said that he was in stable condition.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait's de facto ruler since 2021, when the frail emir handed over most of his duties, was named as Sheikh Nawaf's successor.

Sheikh Nawaf became emir in September 2020 following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for more than a decade and shaped the state's foreign policy for over 50 years.