Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf sworn in as new ruler of Kuwait

Sheik Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (AP Photo/Nasser Waggi, File)

Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been sworn in as the ruling emir of the tiny oil-rich country, propelled to power by the death of his half-brother after a long career in the security services.

At 83, Sheikh Nawaf is not expected to deviate from the diplomatic path charted by his predecessor, the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, but his accession touched off speculation about who will become the next crown prince in a country known for its lively elected parliament and relative independence in a region of Gulf Arab monarchies.