Kuwait’s late Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (Photo by Anadolu news agency)

Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, has died at the age of 86, state media report.

His 83-year-old half-brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, has been named by the cabinet as his successor.

With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn... the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, his office said in a statement read out on state TV.

Prior to the announcement, the television unexpectedly interrupted its broadcast and started to air Qur’an recitation, which is usually the sign of the death of a senior member of the ruling family.

In late November, Sheikh Nawaf was rushed to hospital for an unspecified illness. In the time since, the tiny and oil-rich Persian Gulf nation had been waiting for news about his health.

State-run news agency KUNA previously reported that he traveled to the United States for unspecified medical checks in March 2021.

Sheikh Nawaf ruled Kuwait from September 29, 2020 to his death on December 16, 2023. He had succeeded to the throne following the death of his half-brother Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

Nawaf, who was the crown prince between 2006 and 2020, was the son of the 10th ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who ruled the country for almost 30 years in the first half of the 20th century.

He served in various cabinet positions throughout his life, including leading the ministries of defense, the interior and social services.