Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by Kuwaiti state TV. Sheikh Nawaf led the oil-rich nation for the past three years, succeeding his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The new successor to the throne is Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, aged 83.

The nation has declared a period of mourning lasting 40 days, during which government offices will remain closed for three days. In a televised statement, the country expressed deep sorrow at the loss of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Sheikh Nawaf assumed the role of crown prince in 2006 and became emir in 2020. Born in 1937 as the fifth son of Kuwait's former ruler, Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, he previously served as defense minister during the Gulf War when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990. Later, he held the position of interior minister.

In contrast to his predecessor, who shaped the country's foreign policy for half a century, Sheikh Nawaf's tenure as ruler was relatively brief. Kuwait, with a population of 4.8 million, including 3.4 million foreign workers, possesses the world's sixth-largest known oil reserves and maintains a significant alliance with the United States.

While Kuwait's parliament holds substantial powers among elected bodies in the Gulf, the ruling Sabah family faces open criticism from opposition MPs. Nonetheless, the ruling family maintains control over crucial government and executive roles, with the emir having the final say in political matters. Television channels have suspended regular programming following the announcement of Sheikh Nawaf's passing.

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