Kuwait's crown prince assumes some duties after emir admitted to hospital

A minister said Sheikh Sabah, 91, was in ‘good health’ and was having a check-up

FILE - In this March 31, 2019, file photo, Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, attends the opening of the 30th Arab Summit, in Tunis, Tunisia. Kuwait's 91-year-old ruler has been admitted to the hospital for a medical checkup, the oil-rich nation's state-run news agency reported Saturday, July 18, 2020. Sheikh Sabah was in "good health," the KUNA news agency said, citing a statement from the country's diwan minister. (Fethi Belaid/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah has been admitted to hospital. AP

Jul 20, 2020

Kuwait’s ruler Sheikh Sabah was admitted to hospital on Saturday for medical checks, the state news agency Kuna reported.

Emiri Court Affairs Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al Sabah told Kuna that Sheikh Sabah, 91, was “in good health” and would undergo a medical check-up.

A royal decree was issued to allow the crown prince to assume some of the emir’s constitutional duties temporarily, the minister said.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman phoned the emir to ask about his health after Sheikh Sabah was admitted to hospital, Saudi Press Agency said.

In August 2019, Kuwait said the emir had suffered an unspecified medical setback that required him to be admitted to hospital.

Sheikh Sabah has ruled Kuwait since January 2006. He has pushed for diplomacy to solve regional problems, and hosted major donor conferences for war-torn nations including Iraq and Syria.