By Tiffany Williams –
On Saturday Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died at the age of 86, just three years after he assumed the position of Kuwait’s ruling emir.
“Jill and I were saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait,” Said President Joe Biden. “Sheikh Nawaf was a valued partner and true friend of the United States throughout his decades of service. I offer my condolences to Sheikh Nawaf’s family and the people of Kuwait on behalf of the United States of America and the American people. Today, we mourn his passing and we honor his life and the vision we shared for greater peace and stability across the Middle East. We will continue to strengthen the longstanding ties between the governments and people of the United States and Kuwait as we pursue that future together.”
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke on Saturday with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah.
During his their conversation the State Department says “The Secretary expressed his deep condolences to the Foreign Minister and the people of Kuwait at the passing of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Secretary reaffirmed the deep and storied friendship and enduring strategic partnership between Kuwait and the United States.”
Sheikh Nawaf ascended to the role of crown prince in 2006, appointed by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and he assumed the position of emir upon Sheikh Sabah’s death in September 2020 at the age of 91.
Kuwait’s deputy ruler and his half-brother, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, who is 83, is believed to be the world’s oldest crown prince.
He is now in line to take over as Kuwait’s ruler.
“I was saddened to learn of the death of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. On behalf of the United States, I extend my sincere condolences to the late Amir’s family and to all Kuwaitis,” said Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “I had the opportunity to know His Highness personally and appreciated his dedication to the welfare of the Kuwaiti people and the many ways he nurtured the Kuwaiti-American partnership. His perseverance and resolve helped shape Kuwait into the prosperous and modern state it is today, and his public service over his lifetime contributed to a lasting and positive change in Kuwait and the entire Middle East region. His Highness Amir Nawaf was a deeply respected leader and a friend to all nations. We honor his legacy and remain committed to our strong partnership and friendship with Kuwait.”
“Jill and I were saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait. Sheikh Nawaf was a valued partner and true friend of the United States throughout his decades of service,” said President Joe Biden. “I offer my condolences to Sheikh Nawaf’s family and the people of Kuwait on behalf of the United States of America and the American people. Today, we mourn his passing and we honor his life and the vision we shared for greater peace and stability across the Middle East. We will continue to strengthen the longstanding ties between the governments and people of the United States and Kuwait as we pursue that future together.”
Sunday morning Biden announced a designation of a Presidential Delegation to Kuwait City, Kuwait, to pay respects upon the death of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
The presidential delegation will be led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and also include United States Ambassador to the State of Kuwait Karen Hideko Sasahara and Victoria J. Nuland, Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Undersecretary for Political Affairs with the U.S. Department of State
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Nawaf was a valued partner and friend to the United States who demonstrated a lasting commitment to diplomacy aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. “We will not forget his courage and leadership, and I will also fondly remember his warm hospitality when I visited Kuwait in September 2021. On behalf of the Department of Defense, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Kuwait and Sheikh Nawaf’s family.”