Kuwait Emir Sabah Dies At Age 91

The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has died at the age of 91. Sabah, who spent 4 decades as country’s foreign minister, will be succeeded by his half-brother. Born in an era when the tiny Gulf emirate’s economy relied on pearl diving, his life spanned the discovery of oil and Kuwait’s emergence as one of the world’s richest countries. Kuwaiti state television announced the emir’s death Tuesday after playing Quranic prayers.

Sheikh Sabah spent four decades as Kuwait’s foreign minister before becoming emir in 2006. He navigated relations with the U.S.-led coalition that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait after Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of the emirate.

A proponent of having U.S. forces in the deeply conservative Gulf region, he encouraged the establishment of American military bases. Including in Kuwait, where more than 13,000 U.S. troops are stationed. Sheikh Sabah was also known as a master diplomat who tried to mediate disputes in the volatile region. After the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Flags were flying at half-mast in Kuwait. He had been in hospital in the United States since July following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait that same month. Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, was named emir by the country’s cabinet in an announcement read out on state television.

Under the Gulf Arab state’s constitution the crown prince automatically becomes emir and assumes power after taking oath in parliament. It was scheduled for today. A succession is not expected to affect oil policy. Or foreign investment strategy through the Kuwait Investment Authority, one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds. Oil policy is set by the country’s Supreme Petroleum Council, which is appointed by the emir.

His body is expected to arrive in Kuwait by Wednesday. The country has also declared 40 days of mourning.