Ailing Kuwait crown prince returns from London
Kuwait’s ailing crown prince, Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, returned from a long trip abroad today amid expectations of leadership changes in the oil-rich Gulf state.
Sheikh Saad, who suffered from colon bleeding in 1997, had been in London since August on a private visit and for medical tests.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah – who is also ailing – announced 10 days ago that he would take “decisive action” on matters related to his ruling family.
The 79-year-old ruler did not elaborate but spoke on the same day a senior ruling family member was quoted in a newspaper as saying Kuwait needed a committee “to support the leadership”.
The ill-health of Kuwait’s two top leaders has made succession to power a public issue in Kuwait. The Al Sabahs keep leadership moves in-house, but it is widely expected that Sheikh Saad, a distant cousin of the emir and prime minister, might step down.
Sheikh Jaber, who has ruled since late 1977, suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2001. He has since spent long periods in the US and Switzerland for treatment and rest. On Monday he was, for the first time, absent from the opening of parliament.
