Breaking: Kuwait’s king dies in U.S hospital

Kuwait's king, Sheikh al-Sabah, has died from health complications while receiving treatment in the U.S.

Sheikh Sabah had served as Kuwait's emir since January 2006 [Bandar Algaloud/Reuters]

The 91-year-old ruler is widely known, in the Arab world, as the architect of modern-day Kuwait.

al-Sabah began his career in public service in 1963 as Kuwait’s foreign minister. He served in the role for 40 years before becoming prime minister in 2003.

In January 2006, Sabah was named emir (king) following the death of Sheikh Jaber al-Sabah.

August 2019, Kuwait publicly announced al-Sabah’s declining health, citing an unspecified “setback” in his physical well-being. Then in July of this year, Sabah flew to the U.S for an undisclosed surgery.

Sabah’s half-brother, 83-year-old Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is expected to take the thrown.

By: Niza Nondo