French and Pakistani officials offer condolences to Kuwait after loss of late Emir

Their visits follow delegations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK on Sunday

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah to offer condolences following the death of Sheikh Sabah, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, offers condolences to Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, at Kuwait international airport's emiri terminal in the capital. AFP

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives condolences from Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi in Kuwait City. AFP

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah, before meeting the new emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, to offer condolences on behalf of President Donald Trump on the passing of its emir Sheikh Sabah in Kuwait City, Kuwait. AFP

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives condolences from British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace in Kuwait City. AFP

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receiving condolences from Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in Kuwait City. AFP

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi offers condolences on behalf of his government to Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, at Kuwait international airport's emiri terminal in the capital. AFP

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah and to offer condolences, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receiving condolences from Comorian President Azali Assoumani in Kuwait City. AFP

Jordan's King Abdullah II and his son Crown Prince Hussein offering their condolences to the Kuwaiti royal family, at the emiri terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Jordan's King Abdullah II meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah and offers condolences, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, centre, arrives for the funeral of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Sabah at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City. AFP

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, conveys condolences of UAE leaders to the new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah on the death of Sheikh Sabah. Wam

Nasser Sabah Al Sabah, centre left, the son of the late Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah, receives condolences from Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, centre right, at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City. AFP

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, left, meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, right, and offers condolences to the latter at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives Bahrain's Prince Salman bin Hamad, who offered condolences on the passing of the late Sheikh Sabah. Kuwait News Agency

Iraq's President Barham Salih offers condolences to Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah on the death of late Emir Sheikh Sabah, in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Kuwait News Agency via Reuters

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, left, meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, right, and offers condolences to the latter at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Rua Al Zadjali, centre, and Amal Ali from the Oman Embassy in London sign a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London with the Kuwait ambassador Khaled Al Duwaisan looking on, following the death of the Emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

Former Kuwait Ambassador to Greece Raed Al Rifai signs a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London, following the death of the emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

Rua Al Zadjali from the Oman Embassy in London signs a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London following the death of the emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

French Defence Minister Florence Parly arrived in Kuwait on Monday to offer France’s sympathies after the loss of the late Emir, Sheikh Sabah, who died on Tuesday aged 91.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi was also headed to Kuwait on Monday to offer condolences as the official period of mourning continues.

“Pakistan and Kuwait are bound by a close fraternal relationship. Under the leadership of the late emir, bilateral co-operation acquired a new level," a Foreign Office spokesman said on Sunday.

Sheikh Sabah "was a sincere and trusted friend of Pakistan", it said. "He made an invaluable contribution to bringing the two countries and peoples closer. His efforts in the bilateral context and for regional peace and stability will be long remembered.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, travelled to Kuwait on Sunday to offer his sympathies to the new emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, on behalf of the President Sheikh Khalifa.

A delegation of Saudi officials also arrived in Kuwait on Sunday and were welcomed by Sheikh Nawaf at the Emiri Terminal, Kuwait’s Kuna news agency reported.

The entourage included Prince Fahad bin Sultan, governor of Tabuk Region; Prince Khalid bin Bandar, adviser to King Salman; Prince Mishaal bin Majid, governor of Jeddah; Prince Turki bin Talal, governor of Asir; and Prince Faisal bin Salman, governor of Madinah.

Last week, regional leaders from Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq came to pay tribute to the former ruler, known as the "prince of diplomacy and humanity" during his rule, which began in 2006.

Others also came to offer their condolences on Sunday, included US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper and the UK’s Prince Charles. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and acting Minister of Defence Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah also received the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who arrived with a delegation on Sunday.

During a reception at the foreign ministry’s diwan, the two countries reflected on their strong ties and discussed areas of common interest.