Kuwait’s late Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah was laid to rest on Sunday at the Sulaibikhat Cemetery.

Sheikh Nawaf passed away on Saturday at the age of 86 and after three years in power.

He is succeeded by Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Emir Meshal, who led the mourners, had earlier in the day performed Sunday prayers at Bilal bin Rabah Mosque, the official KUNA news agency reported.

Sheikh Nawaf, whose casket was draped in Kuwait’s flag, was later buried at the Sulaibikhat cemetery alongside his kin.

Sheikh Nawaf ascended the throne in September 2020 after the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Prior to his appointment as emir, Sheikh Nawaf had been Kuwait’s crown prince since 2006, when he was appointed by the late Sheikh Sabah.

KUNA reported in late November that Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized “due to an emergency health problem.” The report at the time did not elaborate on the problem.

Upon his death, Kuwait announced 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments.

Dignitaries from around the world paid respects to Sheikh Nawaf, whose six decades in public service included minister of defense, interior, labor and deputy chief of the national guard.

فيديو | تأثر أمير الكويت الشيخ مشعل الأحمد الصباح بعد نقل جثمان الأمير الراحل #الشيخ_نواف_الأحمد_الصباح إلى مقبرة الصليبيخات #الإخبارية pic.twitter.com/IdoPWG4zL0

— قناة الإخبارية (@alekhbariyatv) December 17, 2023