Tue 29 September 2020:
Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who ruled over his oil-rich country since 2006 and had been its foreign minister for 40 years, including during Saddam Hussein’s invasion, has died. He was 91.
The ailing emir was flown to the US on July 23 to complete treatment after undergoing a “successful surgery” at a hospital in Kuwait City.
In September 2019, the emir underwent medical tests shortly after arriving in the United States, leading to a cancellation of his meeting with President Donald Trump.
The emir, who has ruled the oil-rich Gulf state since 2006, had his appendix removed in 2002, two years after having a pacemaker fitted.
In 2007, he underwent urinary tract surgery in the US.
His half-brother and crown prince, Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah, will “temporarily” take on a number of functions. Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah is 83 years old.
The emir is widely regarded as the architect of modern Kuwait’s foreign policy.
Al Sabah, a longtime foreign minister for Kuwait, has drawn praise during his rule for hosting donation drives for both war-torn Iraq and Syria.
He also has been the lead negotiator in trying to resolve a years-long boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations over a political dispute.
