Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah names Sheikh Meshal Al Sabah as new crown prince

Nomination comes a week after the new emir took office after the death of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad

Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been named as Kuwait's Crown Prince. Kuwait News Agency

Kuwait's new ruler Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah on Wednesday named Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah as crown prince, state-run Kuna news agency reported.

Sheikh Meshal is currently the deputy chief of the National Guard and a brother of the late emir, who died last Tuesday.

The selection of Sheikh Meshal, which must be approved by parliament, "was blessed by the Al Sabah family", Kuna said, quoting a statement from the emir's office.

Earlier, two members of Kuwait's ruling family posted messages on Twitter pledging allegiance to Sheikh Meshal as crown prince.

Sheikh Nawaf assumed office following the death of his brother Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad last week.

Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah gestures as he arrives to take the oath of office at the country's parliament, in Kuwait City on September 30, 2020. Reuters

Although Sheikh Nawaf had a full year to choose a successor, he picked Sheikh Meshal in a record-breaking eight days, ending frenzied speculation that has gripped Kuwaiti social media.

Before Sheikh Meshal can be officially named crown prince, lawmakers must approve the choice during their final session on Thursday.

Following the session, Kuwait’s parliament will dissolve itself ahead of elections tentatively set for late November.

But breaking with tradition, Sheikh Nawaf has asked the Cabinet to continue performing its duties despite the prime minister’s offer to resign, Kuna reported.

Sheikh Nawaf “affirmed his great confidence” in the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled and asked the same government to “continue carrying out its tasks” until the elections.

Sheikh Meshal is known as a forceful figure who steered clear of public roles, spending much of his career helping build the Gulf Arab state's security and defence apparatus.

Close to the late emir Sheikh Sabah and new ruler Sheikh Nawaf, Kuwait experts say, he is expected to take an active role in helping guide state affairs.

"The emir will listen to his views, he will have an impact in that way," Kuwaiti political scientist and former UN envoy Ghanim Alnajjar told Reuters. "His focus will be security, the judiciary and other domestic issues."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah to offer condolences following the death of Sheikh Sabah, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, offers condolences to Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, at Kuwait international airport's emiri terminal in the capital. AFP

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives condolences from Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi in Kuwait City. AFP

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah, before meeting the new emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, to offer condolences on behalf of President Donald Trump on the passing of its emir Sheikh Sabah in Kuwait City, Kuwait. AFP

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives condolences from British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace in Kuwait City. AFP

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receiving condolences from Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in Kuwait City. AFP

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi offers condolences on behalf of his government to Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, at Kuwait international airport's emiri terminal in the capital. AFP

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah and to offer condolences, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receiving condolences from Comorian President Azali Assoumani in Kuwait City. AFP

Jordan's King Abdullah II and his son Crown Prince Hussein offering their condolences to the Kuwaiti royal family, at the emiri terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Jordan's King Abdullah II meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah and offers condolences, at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, centre, arrives for the funeral of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Sabah at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City. AFP

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, conveys condolences of UAE leaders to the new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah on the death of Sheikh Sabah. Wam

Nasser Sabah Al Sabah, centre left, the son of the late Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah, receives condolences from Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, centre right, at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City. AFP

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, left, meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, right, and offers condolences to the latter at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah receives Bahrain's Prince Salman bin Hamad, who offered condolences on the passing of the late Sheikh Sabah. Kuwait News Agency

Iraq's President Barham Salih offers condolences to Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah on the death of late Emir Sheikh Sabah, in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Kuwait News Agency via Reuters

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, left, meets Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, right, and offers condolences to the latter at the Emiri Terminal of Kuwait International Airport. AFP

Rua Al Zadjali, centre, and Amal Ali from the Oman Embassy in London sign a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London with the Kuwait ambassador Khaled Al Duwaisan looking on, following the death of the Emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

Former Kuwait Ambassador to Greece Raed Al Rifai signs a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London, following the death of the emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

Rua Al Zadjali from the Oman Embassy in London signs a book of condolence at the Kuwait Embassy in London following the death of the emir of Kuwait. Stephen Lock for the National

Sheikh Meshal, 80, has been deputy chief of the National Guard since 2004 and was head of State Security for 13 years after joining the Interior Ministry in the 1960s. He had been offered several senior positions in the past but declined them, experts say.

Sheikh Meshal, an alumnus of Britain's Hendon Police College, was credited with helping to reform Kuwait's National Guard, and Kuwaiti journalist Faisal Al Qanae once described him as the "biggest enemy" of cronyism and lawbreaking.

Sheikh Meshal's appointment traditionally works as a conduit between the ruling family and the national assembly, which will face elections later this year.

Bader Al Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, said: "He's an insider and an outsider at the same time."

He said the National Guard was a respected institution above the political fray.

Sheikh Meshal is no newcomer to Kuwaiti government. He was a close confidant of Sheikh Sabah throughout his tenure, accompanying him on official diplomatic visits as well as to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where the emir received medical treatment after surgery and later died last week.

The roles of the heir apparent and prime minister were split in 2003 due to the health of the then crown prince. The premier has since dealt with frequent gridlock between the hand-picked Cabinet and the parliament, which has recently been at odds with ministers over debts, investment and economic reforms.

Observers say that while both Sheikh Nawaf and Sheikh Meshal kept a low public profile, the latter has stronger views.

Sheikh Nawaf, who is seen upholding Kuwait's current oil, investment and foreign policies, takes the helm as the country faces a liquidity crisis caused by low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, which the National Guard has played a visible role in combating.

Diplomats and analysts say the immediate focus will be on domestic issues with living standards and the economy the top priorities for most Kuwaitis in a country.

Deutsche Bank has estimated that Kuwait's nearly $140 billion economy could shrink by 7.8 per cent this year in what would be one of the worst economic crunches among Gulf oil exporters.

Key will be co-operation between Cabinet and the parliament, the Gulf region's oldest legislature that wields power to block bills and question ministers. Disagreements have led to successive government reshuffles or dissolution of parliament.