UAE leaders mourn death of Kuwait's ruler Sheikh Nawaf

The Emir of Kuwait has died at the age of 86

UAE leaders mourn Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who died on Saturday at the age of 86.

President Sheikh Mohamed led tributes in the UAE after Kuwait’s ruler, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, died on Saturday.

“With hearts that believe in Allah’s will and destiny, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns the passing of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who passed away today,” a statement from the Presidential Court said.

Writing on X, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: “Our condolences to our people in Kuwait and to our brothers, the Al Sabah family, on the death of the late Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who served his country for six decades and fulfilled his trust with all sincerity and rested his journey with Ghafoor Karim.

“We ask Allah to grant him the highest paradise in Paradise. And unto God and to Him we shall return.”

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, added: “Our sincere condolences and sympathy to our people in Kuwait on the death of the late Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah.

“We pray to Allah that the deceased of the Arab and Islamic world may have mercy on him and dwell in his spacious paradise, and that he may inspire the people of Kuwait with patience and solace.”

Sheikh Dr Sultan Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain all offered condolences.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said in comments reported by Wam, that the world had "lost a great and a loyal leader who served his country and people in the positions he had held for decades, through which he contributed to strengthening the stature of Kuwait regionally and internationally."

It comes as the country has officially announced three days of mourning.

A statement posted on Wam, the state news agency, confirms the “declaration of mourning for three days and the flags to be flown at half-mast starting today at all official departments within the country and the embassies and diplomatic missions of the country”.

The Kuwaiti royal court confirmed the news of Sheikh Nawaf’s death earlier on Saturday.

“With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn … the death of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” the statement said.