UAE rulers send condolences to Kuwait following Sheikh Nasser's death

Sheikh Nasser was the eldest son of former emir Sheikh Sabah

Former Kuwaiti defence minister Sheikh Nasser Al Ahmed has died. AFP

The UAE's rulers sent condolences to Kuwait on Sunday, after the country's former first deputy prime minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmed died after a long illness. He was 72.

He was the eldest son of the late emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah, and served his country in a variety of government posts.

His death came only months after that of his father, who died on September 29. He was due to be buried at 9.30am on Monday in a ceremony expected to be modestly attended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message of condolence to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also sent similar messages to Sheikh Nawaf.

The rulers of Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah also sent condolences to the king of Kuwait.

Sheikh Nasser served as head of the royal court for 11 years until 2017 besides being the first deputy prime minister and minister of defence. In his most recent role he headed Kuwait's Vision 2035 committee for economic diversification and always took a strong stance against corruption.

He is also credited with being the driving force behind Silk City, one of Kuwait's mega projects, with investments estimated at more than $100 billion.

Sheikh Nasser was active in Kuwaiti public life, founding the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and serving as a member on the Kuwaiti Association for the Protection of Public Funds and Kuwait's Equestrian Club.

A lover of the arts, he served on the board of trustees for New York's Metropolitan Museum and championed Kuwaiti art as an honorary member of the Kuwaiti Arts Association.