Kuwait swears in new ruler, prepares to lay late monarch Sheikh Sabah to rest

Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah has been sworn in as the new emir of the oil-rich Persian Gulf kingdom, amid preparations in the country for the burial ceremony of late ruler Sheikh Sabah.

During a ceremony at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Sheikh Nawaf pledged to work for the country’s prosperity, stability and security after taking the oath of office, raising both hands to his head as lawmakers applauded.

“I promise you that I will do my best and everything in my power to preserve Kuwait, its security and stability, and to ensure the dignity and well-being of the people,” he addressed the parliament.

Sheikh Nawaf called for unity against the challenges facing the Middle East region, and committed himself to Kuwait’s “democratic approach.”

“Our dear nation today faces difficult situations and dangerous challenges that can only be overcome ... by unifying ranks and working hard together,” he stated.

The body of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah, who passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday, is expected to arrive in Kuwait City later on Wednesday on a flight from Minnesota, where he had been undergoing treatment in hospital since July.

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah dies at 91

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah passes away at the age of 91.

The funeral has been restricted to ruling family members to avoid large crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to the royal court.

Sheikh Nawaf lacks his half-brother’s experience as a conciliator. Sheikh Sabah was the architect of his country’s modern foreign policy and a mediator in some of the worst crises to grip the Persian Gulf region.

President Rouhani extends condolences over Kuwaiti emir’s demise

On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered Kuwait sincere condolences on the death of Sheikh Sabah in a message addressed to the kingdom’s new emir.

“I hereby condole you, the Kuwaiti government and nation on the demise of the emir, who played a significant role in establishing regional balance and moderation,” Rouhani said.

He prayed to God to bestow peace upon Sheikh Sabah’s soul and patience for the ruling Kuwaiti family.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif extended his condolences over the death of Sheikh Sabah.

آلمنا نباء وفاة المغفور له الشیخ صباح الاحمد الجابر الصباح امیر دولة الکویت الراحل الذي رسم صورة من الاعتدال والاتزان للکویت وللاقلیم، سائلین الله سبحانه و تعالی ان یتغمده برحمته الواسعة و ان تنعم الکویت و اهلها فی ظل الحکم الجدید بالامن و الاستقرار والرقي و الازدهار. pic.twitter.com/cUn3hDwJDV

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 29, 2020

“The news of the departure of late Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, who drew a picture of moderation and balance for Kuwait and the region, broke our hearts,” Zarif wrote in a post published on his Twitter page on Tuesday night.

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