Just in: Emir of Kuwait dies at 86 after battling with illness

Kuwait has announced the death of its leader, Sheikh Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah who died at the age of 86.

Sheikh Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led the oil-rich nation for the last three years after taking over from his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah.

“With great sadness and sorrow, we — the Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the friendly peoples of the world — mourn the late His Highness the emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away to his Lord today,” Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, read the brief statement.

The late sheikh was named crown prince in 2006 and took over as emir in 2020.

He had at a time served as defence and interior minister.

Regular programming on TV channels has been suspended following the announcement of his death.

The late leader is reportedly popular within the ruling al-Sabah family as he is known for his reputation for modesty, and largely maintained a low profile.

Reports say he had been battling with an undisclosed illness before his eventual death.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait’s late ruler from 1921 to 1950 Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

With a population of 4.8 million, including 3.4 million foreign workers – Kuwait has the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves.

The country is also one of the main key US allies in the region.