Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah dies aged 91
KUWAIT, September 29, 2020
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah has died at the age of 91, state media reported.
His death was announced by the Emiri Diwan. "With deep sadness and sorrow the Emiri Diwan sends its condolences to the people of Kuwait, the Arab and Muslim nations, and our friendly nations worldwide," it said in a statement.
He was expected to be succeeded by his 83-year-old half-brother and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed, said a BBC report.
In July, Sheikh Sabah was flown to the US for medical treatment following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait.
He had ruled the country since 2006 and had overseen its foreign policy for more than 50 years. He was dubbed the "dean of Arab diplomacy" for his efforts to restore relations with states that backed Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces.
The emir also often acted as a mediator in regional disputes, including the ongoing diplomatic stand-off between Saudi Arabia, its allies and Qatar.
Kuwait also refrained from intervening in Syria's civil war, instead hosting several donor conferences for humanitarian aid.
