Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies at 86, Sheikh Meshaal named successor | Oneindia News

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The demise of Kuwait's 86-year-old Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, signals the end of his low-key, three-year reign focused on resolving internal political strife. Kuwait state television interrupted regular programming with Quranic verses to announce the sombre news. The cause of Sheikh Nawaf's death remains undisclosed. Following his passing, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah is named as the new emir, according to Kuwait's cabinet. The late emir's health had been a matter of concern since late November when he was rushed to the hospital. Sheikh Nawaf's leadership, marked by domestic challenges and diplomatic efforts, now transitions to Sheikh Meshaal amid regional and global attention.

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Transcript

00:00 Kuwait witnessed the passing of its 86-year-old ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah

00:07 on December 16, culminating his three-year understated leadership devoted to resolving

00:12 the nation's internal political conflicts.

00:15 The announcement, made soberly on Kuwait's state television, featured Quranic verses

00:19 preceding a heartfelt statement by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah al-Sabah, the minister of

00:24 the emirate.

00:25 No specific cause of death was disclosed.Following Sheikh Nawaf's demise, Kuwait's new emir

00:30 was declared as Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmed al-Jabir al-Sabah, the crown prince, by the cabinet

00:36 as relayed by state television.

00:38 In late November, Sheikh Nawaf's health became a concern, prompting his hospitalization for

00:42 an undisclosed ailment.

00:45 Kuwait awaited updates on his condition, with earlier reports indicating his medical checks

00:49 in the US in March 2021.

00:52 The delicate matter of Kuwait's leader's health remains crucial in the Middle Eastern

00:55 nations, with internal power struggles shaping its dynamics, situated amidst Iraq and Saudi

01:01 Arabia.

01:02 As the older generation from Sheikh Nawaf's era, predating Kuwait's transformation into

01:07 Petro-Strait, fades away, Gulf Arab nations adopting younger leaders intensify pressure

01:12 on the al-Sabah to usher in a new era.

01:15 Parallels can be drawn in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, where King Salman at 87 is believed

01:19 to have delegated day-to-day rule to his 38-year-old son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

01:25 Sheikh Nawaf assumed the role of emir following the 2020 demise of his predecessor, Sheikh

01:30 Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, whose loss reverberated throughout the reign due to his diplomatic

01:35 and peacemaking legacy.

01:37 Despite Sheikh Nawaf's previous role as Kuwait's Interior and Defence Minister, his emirship

01:41 was marked by relative inactivity beyond those terms.

01:44 While his election was uncontroversial, his short tenure was predicted due to advancing

01:49 age.

01:50 Focused on domestic challenges, Sheikh Nawaf grappled with political disputes, notably

01:55 the overhaul of Kuwait's welfare system, preventing the accumulation of debt.

01:59 Despite substantial oil wealth, Kuwait struggled to meet bloated public sector salaries.

02:04 In 2021, Sheikh Nawaf issued a significant amnesty decree, benefiting Kuwaiti dissidents

02:09 and endeavoured to resolve political standoffs through multiple parliamentary elections.

02:14 Kuwait's perception of having the Gulf's freest parliament allowing dissent stands

02:18 amid regional dynamics.

02:20 Notably amid restarted ties between Gulf cooperation council states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia

02:25 and the UAE, Kuwait, with a population slightly larger than New Jersey, faced global challenges

02:30 as a staunch US ally.

02:32 Since the 1991 Gulf War, Kuwait has hosted 13,500 American troops, along with the US

02:38 Army's forward headquarters in the Middle East.

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03:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies at 86, Sheikh Meshaal named successor | Oneindia News

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