Sep 29, 2020 - World

Kuwaiti emir dies at 91

Barak Ravid

The emir last year. Photo: Alexander Shcherbak\TASS via Getty Images

Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Tuesday at the age of 91. The emir had been hospitalized at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic since July. He was flown there from Kuwait in a U.S. Air Force plane following a failed surgery.

The big picture: The late emir took power in 2006 following 40 years as Kuwait's foreign minister, and had been a highly active and influential figure in regional diplomacy.

What to watch: The crown prince — the late emir’s half-brother, Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah — has been announced as the next emir.

The 83-year-old crown prince has previously held senior posts including as minister of the interior and of defense.

The latest: State television cut away from its regular broadcast on Tuesday and started broadcasting verses from the Quran. Shortly afterwards, the Emiri Court announced his death.

Two weeks ago, President Trump awarded the emir with the Legion of Merit, which was accepted on his behalf by his eldest son, Sheikh Nasser bin Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

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Kuwaiti emir dies at 91

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