Kuwait Ruler meets top US, Iran officials

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah on Sunday met senior US, Iranian and Gulf officials who separately paid their respects over the death of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad.

Sheikh Nawaf assumed power ater the death last Tuesday of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper conveyed his condolences over the loss of Sheikh Sabah in a meeting with the new ruler, who in turn expressed concern over the health of US President Donald Trump.

Sheikh Nawaf said he was glad that Trump, who has been hospitalised ater being diagnosed with coronavirus, was “recovering and well.” Esper thanked him for his “expression of concern.”

“He will be remembered as a great man and a special friend to the United States,” Esper said of Sheikh Sabah in comments tweeted by the US Embassy during his visit.

Before arriving in Kuwait on Sunday, Esper spent the night in Qatar, where he discussed “the importance of the strong defence partnership” between the two countries.

Sheikh Nawaf also received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Zarif “congratulated them on the election of the new emir of Kuwait and stressed the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iranian state media later carried a message by President Hassan Rouhani to the new ruler which said, “I am confident that, as in the past, we will see a growing expansion of friendly and fraternal ties between the two countries.”

Sheikh Nawaf, 83, is expected to uphold the Opec member state’s oil and foreign policy. He has yet to name a crown prince to help to guide the state affairs.

The emir has up to a year to name an heir, but analysts expect a decision in the coming weeks. Parliament must approve the choice.

Among mooted candidates are Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad, a former defence minister; Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad, a former premier; and Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, deputy chief of the National Guard.