Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah passes away

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah passes away today (Tuesday).

He died at the age of 91, state media report.

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah passes away

Sheikh Sabah was flown to the United States for medical treatment following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait that month.

He died on Tuesday in Minnesota where he had been undergoing treatment.

Aljazeera and BBC reports suggested he was flown to US in July but CNN reported that on August 6, the Emir traveled to the United States.

Sabah was born in 1929 around the time of the formation of the modern Kuwaiti state, and is a member of the country’s royal family.

For 40 years, he served as foreign minister, later becoming prime minister before he was named the country’s monarch.

On August 6, the Emir traveled to the United States for medical treatment after he underwent surgery that his office described as successful. Officials did not disclose his condition.

Several countries and leaders paid tribute to Sabah following the news of his death.

The body of Sheikh Sabah, an acclaimed diplomat and mediator who ruled for 14 years, is expected to arrive in Kuwait City later on Wednesday

14 year rule

He had ruled the oil-rich Gulf Arab state since 2006.

Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah had overseen its foreign policy for more than 50 years.

According to BBC, he was dubbed the “dean of Arab diplomacy” for his efforts to restore relations with states that backed Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces.

The emir also often acted as a mediator in regional disputes, including the ongoing diplomatic stand-off between Saudi Arabia, its allies and Qatar and also matter relating to Iran.

Kuwait similarly refrained from intervening in Syria affairs.

However, he hosted several donor conferences for humanitarian aid.

GTV