KUWAIT — 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 US-allied Gulf oil producer. ADVERTISEMENTCrown 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 his duties, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor. Since he took over in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf maintained a foreign policy that balanced ties with those neighbours, whilst domestically eight governments were formed under his rule. Analysts and diplomats say that Sheikh Nawaf and his crown prince Sheikh Meshal both appeared to align Kuwait more closely with regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPEmirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wrote on X that Sheikh Nawaf had been a wise leader who played a major role in strengthening Kuwait-UAE relations.
