Emir of Kuwait dies at the age of 86. Pakistan is testing artificial rain to combat air pollution

The emir of the Gulf emirate of Kuwait has died. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed Al Sabah, head of state of the oil-rich Persian Gulf state, has died at the age of 86, the royal family reported on Saturday. Immediately after his death, his successor was announced: the late sheikh’s 83-year-old half-brother, Mischal al-Ahmed Al Sabah, was appointed as the new emir, state news agency Kuna reported. Sheikh Mishal was previously considered the world’s oldest crown prince.

“We join the Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Muslim nations and the friendly peoples of the world in mourning the loss of the country’s emir,” a televised statement said. The divorced emir has been receiving medical treatment for health problems since late November. He only took office in the autumn of 2020 as successor to his half-brother, who died at the age of 91. Since 2021, Sheikh Nawaf has transferred some of his powers to the Crown Prince.

Under Sheikh Nawaf, the politics of the small Gulf state has recently been characterized by crises. The government has resigned several times in recent years. Kuwait has the most active parliament in the region, which has slightly more influence on legislation than in neighboring countries. However, actual power lies in the hands of the ruling family.

The Gulf emirate has declared a 40-day period of mourning following the death of Sheikh Nawaf. In the three days following Sheikh Nawaf’s death, all state institutions will remain closed. Several countries expressed their condolences. These include Saudi Arabia and Britain. The United Arab Emirates declared three days of national mourning in its own country following the death of the emir.

Kuwait has approximately 4.2 million inhabitants. The country’s emir is both a secular and spiritual head of state. He appoints the government. Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf region to establish a parliament in 1963. (sda/dpa)