Kuwait's emir on Tuesday named his brother as crown prince of the emirate following a recent leadership crisis in this Gulf country. Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah named 68-year-old Sheikh Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah for the post and successor to the Kuwaiti throne.
Sheikh Nawwaf had previously served as the interior minister and deputy prime minister in Kuwait's cabinet, which had resigned on January 30 one day after Sheikh Sabah ascended the throne, according to the AP.
Sheikh Sabah became Kuwait's emir on January 29, marking the first step toward ending a leadership struggle between the ruling family after Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah died on January 15.
As an ailing crown prince as his successor, Kuwaiti legislature invoked for the first time in its history a law which removed the emir from power after hearing testimony that he was unable to properly fulfill his duties.
Sheikh Nawwaf, whose appointment must still be approved by parliament, had also served as a governor, defense minister, minister of social affairs and labor, and deputy head of the national guards.
65-year-old Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah, was appointed prime minister and directed to form a new government. The appointments mean that Emir Sheikh Sabah, 76, chose to keep the jobs of crown prince and prime minister separate.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
