Kuwait City: Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait passed away after ruling for 14 years, officials announced Tuesday. He was 91 years old.
“With sincere sadness, Kuwait, its people, the people of the Arab and Muslim world, and the people of the world offer their condolences for the death of Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God forgive him,” Minister of Royal Court Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah said on state TV.
The Emir had traveled to the United States on August 6 for medical treatment after he underwent surgery. The officials, however, did not disclose his condition.
The Emir had been battling health issues in the recent years and was widely revered for his work to mediate conflict in the Gulf region.
Born in 1929 around the time of the formation of modern-day Kuwaiti, Sabah served as foreign minister for 40 years, later becoming prime minister before finally being named the country’s monarch.
After news of the monarch’s death spread, several leaders paid tribute to Sabah. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling the Emir an extraordinary symbol of “wisdom and generosity”, a messenger of peace and a bridge builder, expressed that he was “deeply moved” by the passing.
Condoling the death, the the US Embassy in Kuwait tweeted, “We wish only to mention the achievements of His Highness the late Emir who dedicated his life to bringing peace and stability to the region.”
“Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman received with great sadness and great sorrow the news of the death of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” a Saudi state news agency reported.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the world leader tweeting, “My heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. In this moment of grief our thoughts are with the Al-Sabah family and the people of the State of Kuwait.
“Today, the State of Kuwait and the Arab world has lost a beloved leader, India a close friend, and the world a great statesman. His Highness played a leading role in strengthening our bilateral relations, and always took special care of the Indian community in Kuwait.”
Meanwhile, Jordan declared 40 days of mourning in honour of the Emir, with the Jordanian monarch tweeting, “Today we lost a great brother and a wise leader who loves Jordan.”
