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Kuwaiti emir names new crown prince

Sheikh Mishaal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah was previously deputy head of Kuwait's National Guard and is now next in line to become emir.

This picture shows a general view of Kuwait's Parliament meeting during which Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was sworn in as the country's new Emir, in Kuwait City on September 30, 2020. - Kuwait today swore in its new emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, after the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah, who died in the US at the age of 91. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP) (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)
This picture shows a general view of Kuwait's parliament meeting during which Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was sworn in as the country's new emir, in Kuwait City on Sept. 30, 2020. — YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Kuwait’s new emir named a top security official as his crown prince on Wednesday. Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah named Sheikh Mishaal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah as crown prince on Wednesday, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported.

Emir Sabah became ruler of Kuwait late last month following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Crown Prince Sabah is likewise a member of the ruling family and was previously deputy head of Kuwait’s National Guard.

The crown prince’s appointment must now be approved by Kuwait’s parliament. Sabah, who is 83 years old, may delegate more responsibilities than usual to the crown prince because of his age, according to Reuters.

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament that governs alongside the emir and the governmental cabinet he appoints. Parliamentary elections will take place on Nov. 28.

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