It has been confirmed by the royal court in Kuwait that the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, passed away at age 86 on Saturday, after a three-year reign. 

A statement on Kuwaiti state television read, "With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn... the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait", which followed a cut of regular programming and a broadcast of the Quran before the announcement.

Sheikh Nawaf was admitted to the hospital back in November "due to an emergency health problem", according to the official KUNA news agency, but was later in stable condition. 

Kuwait's crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was named the new emir as state television reported. "Kuwait's cabinet names crown prince, his highness Sheikh Meshal... emir of the state of Kuwait," the broadcaster said.

The life of the later Emir

Sheikh Nawaf was first named crown prince in 2006 by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and then reigned as Emir when his half-brother died in September 2020. The current crown prince and another half-brother, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is 83 years old.

Kuwait is home to the most active and powerful parliament in the Gulf.

Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ruled from 1921 to 1950. He finished secondary schooling in Kuwait but did not continue to higher education. 

The late Emir began his political career at 25 as governor of Hawalli province until 1978, he was then defence minister when Iraq invaded in 1990 and later started his position as interior minister for 10 years in January 2005. 

Oil-wealthy Kuwait is one of the world's most powerful sovereign wealth funds and has a low debt level; it also boasts 7% of global crude reserves.