News of Kuwait emir's health 'very reassuring', parliament speaker says

Sheikh Sabah arrived in the United States on Thursday to complete medical treatment following surgery

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah arrives to attend the fourth ordinary session of the National Assembly's 15th legislative term. EPA, file

News about the health of the emir of Kuwait, who is in the United States for medical treatment, is "very reassuring", Kuwaiti parliament speaker Marzouq Al Ghanim said on Sunday in a statement carried on the parliamentary Twitter account.

Kuwait's 91-year-old ruler Sheikh Sabah left for the United States on Thursday to complete medical treatment following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait, the state news agency reported.

Sheikh Sabah travelled to the US on the advice of his medical team after undergoing a successful operation on July 19, Kuna reported. He had been admitted to hospital the previous day for medical checks.

The report gave no further information about his condition.

Kuna said Sheikh Sabah was seen off at the airport by his half-brother, Crown Prince Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who temporarily assumed some of the emir’s duties after a royal decree on Saturday. Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Mr Al Ghanim, ministers and state officials were also present.

The emir was accompanied by the deputy National Guard chief Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuna said.

The Kuwaiti Minister of Court Affairs, Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al Sabah, wished the Ruler a “rapid recovery and well-being”.

Officials around the region have contacted the emir to wish him a quick recovery.

The President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa, sent a message of congratulations to the emir on his successful operation and wished him a “speedy recovery and continuous good health”.

Sheikh Sabah, who has ruled Kuwait since 2006, was last year admitted to hospital in the US while on an official visit, after suffering what his office described as a health setback in August.

Sheikh Sabah returned to Kuwait in October.