The ruling emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is dead.
According to the BBC, Sheikh died on Saturday aged 86, the royal court said.
His death comes after three years in power marked by repeated political disputes.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” said a statement aired on state television.
The channel had cut its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of a Koranic recital before the announcement.
In November, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalised “due to an emergency health problem”, according to the official KUNA news agency. It did not provide details about his illness, but he was later declared to be in stable condition.
In 2020, Sheikh Nawaf faced the challenge of navigating the economy through a crisis triggered by a fall in oil prices.
The current crown prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, another half-brother, is 83 years old.
