Kuwait Has A New Emir Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Kuwait has a new Emir. 83-year-old Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah took his oath of office on Wednesday.

He is a half-brother of the recently deceased longtime leader of the country Sheik Sabah al-Sabah.

Nawaf was sworn in at a session of the National Assembly. He promised to work for prosperity and stability. Unlike his half-brother, the new Emir does not have the same decades of experience as a mediator on the international political playing field.

He has been serving for Sabah since July. Previously, he was Minister of Defense and the Interior. Nawaf will now likely focus on internal affairs, such as choosing a crown prince.

On Tuesday, leader Sheikh Sabah died in a hospital in the United States at the age of 91. His body will arrive in Kuwait City on Wednesday. A national mourning period of 40 days has begun in the country. Because of the coronavirus, Sabah is buried in a small circle.

The late Sabah was Minister of Foreign Affairs for over 40 years and was considered a seasoned diplomat.

He tried to smooth out the wrinkles between warring Gulf states and re-establish ties with former enemy Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein, who invaded Kuwait in August 1990. He had strong ties with the US and Great Britain.