Kuwait emir dead, ailing successor takes over

The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died on Sunday at the age of 78 after a long illness, and the country’s ailing cro...

The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died on Sunday at the age of 78 after a long illness, and the country’s ailing crown prince is set to take over as emir of this major Gulf oil producer.

Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdulla al-Sabah, 76, is likely to be a figurehead while PM Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah runs the country—a role he has played over the past four years, analysts said.

Sheikh Jaber, who had ruled since 1977, presided over there building of this tiny Gulf Arab state after neighbouring Iraq invaded in 1990 and occupied the country for seven months.

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He suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2001, limiting his duties in the country which controls about 10 per cent of known global oil reserves.

US-led forces drove Iraqi occupation troops from Kuwait in 1991 and used the country as its main staging ground for the 2003 invasion that toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The ill health of Sheikh Jaber and Sheikh Saad has caused concern at home and abroad over the future leadership of OPEC’s fourth biggest producer.

Calls by parliamentarians and members of the Opposition for the Kuwaiti government to replace the crown prince and to share power have also clouded the succession process. Analysts expect the new emir to keep Kuwait’s oil policies and pro-Western outlook. There has been no official word on who will take over, but under the constitution it will be Sheikh Saad, who is largely incapacitated by illness.

Kuwaiti oil officials said today the country would stick to its policy of keeping global markets well supplied.

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‘‘Kuwait’s (oil) policy will not change,’’ said an official adding, ‘‘The oil sector is running as normal, both production and exports.’’ Kuwait pumps at around 2.68 million barrels per day. —Reuters

Aiyar to travel to Kuwait to condole emir’s death

NEW DELHI: Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will travel to Kuwait tomorrow to pay condolences on behalf of India on the death of Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, External Affairs Ministry said here on Sunday. Describing Sheikh Jaber as a “good friend of India” and one of the far-sighted leaders of the region, the Indian government said ”in his demise, Kuwait and the world had lost a wise statesman and an able leader”. The ministry, in a release, said that the large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his care and benevolence. “India is united in grief with the government and people of Kuwait in mourning the passing away of Sheikh Jaber,” it said. The Indian government has declared a day’s state mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect to the late emir. —PTI