DUBAI: The body of late Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was laid to rest at the Sulaibikhat Cemetery on Sunday following a prayer service. The emir passed away on Saturday aged 86.
Sheikh Nawaf, whose casket was draped in Kuwait’s flag, was buried alongside his kin, after prayers at Bilal bin Rabah mosque.
The late Emir’s funeral was attended by members of the Al Sabah family and speaker of Kuwait’s parliament, according to state news agency KUNA. His successor, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, was seen shedding a tear at the prayer service.
Sheikh Mishal and the royal family will personally receive the condolences of people at the Diwan of Al-Sabah Family at Bayan Palace on Monday and Tuesday.
Dignitaries from around the world, including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Jordan’s King Abdullah were due in Kuwait to pay their respects. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Kuwait in the afternoon.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also due to present condolences on behalf of President Ebrahim Raisi.
Sheikh Nawaf held several posts throughout his six decades in public service, which included minister of defence, interior, labour and deputy chief of the national guard.
The late emir was perceived domestically as a consensus-builder who sought to repair a long strained relationship between the parliament and government and who pardoned dozens of dissidents and other citizens who had voiced public criticisms.
