Kuwait's new emir takes oath of office

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah took the oath of office today as the new emir of Kuwait, ending a two-week leadership crisis in the oil-rich US ally.

Earlier, parliament voted unanimously to name him the new leader, marking the first time in Kuwait’s history that the legislature played a role in choosing the emir – a matter that had been the business of the ruling family for hundreds of years.

“We will adhere to the interests of the public and avoid sectarian and tribal considerations in every respect so that Kuwait will be the lone winner,” the new emir said before an audience that included about 700 dignitaries and ambassadors.

The emir, who had been prime minister and was a half brother of the deceased emir, wore a white Arab robe and headdress as he swore the oath of office: “I swear by Almighty God to respect the Constitution and the laws of the state, to defend the liberties, interests and properties of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the country.”

In a nod to the country’s tumultuous history since Saddam Hussein invaded in 1990 and US-led troops used Kuwaiti territory to launch an invasion to topple the Iraqi leader 13 years later, the emir said: “Our world is facing changes and developments on which we cannot turn our backs… . The regional arena is witnessing aspects of tension and instability which put all of us at the core of real confrontation.”

The ceremonies put an official end to a leadership struggle and embarrassing dispute within the ruling Al Sabah family that had assumed crisis proportions after Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah died on January 15, leaving an ailing prince as his successor.

During speeches before the vote, lawmakers called the new leader the “emir of reform” and the “hope of Kuwait” for a better future.

Legislator Mohammed al-Saqr called on the new emir to appoint an heir-apparent quickly to prevent a repeat of the succession crisis.

“What is needed is the appointment of a crown prince before appointing a prime minister,” he told the house chamber. Until 2003, the crown prince and the prime minister positions were held by one man.

The separation of the two jobs began when Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, the former crown prince, fell ill and became unable to act as prime minister two years ago. After he briefly ascended the throne upon Sheikh Jaber’s death, Sheikh Saad was only seen in public in a wheelchair and did not speak to the people.

It became increasingly clear that his failing health would not allow him to carry out his responsibilities as head of state.

On Tuesday, the house removed him from power after hearing medical testimony that he was incapacitated. The parliament transferred his powers to the Cabinet, which met hours later and named Sheikh Sabah the next emir. That vote was sanctioned by the 1964 succession law and the 1962 constitution.

The house received an abdication letter from Sheikh Saad moments after the vote to remove him. The ruling family announced it worked out the succession dispute, but too late to get the letter of resignation to parliament before the unprecedented vote to remove the emir.