KUWAIT CITY â A crisis in the ruling family of Kuwait, which has a tenth of world oil reserves, is likely to usher in a new heir to the ailing Amir whose existing crown prince is also ill, diplomats and analysts said yesterday.They said the most prominent candidate is
Under the constitution, Crown Prince Shaikh Saad Al Abdulla Al Sabah, 76, will succeed his cousin the Amir, His Highness Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, 77. With a long-ailing Amir and an even more seriously ill crown prince, the pressure on the Gulf stateâs ruling family has mounted in recent months to clarify who is next in line.
The crisis became public this week when the eldest member in the Sabah dynasty, Shaikh Salem Ali Al Sabah, called for
Diplomats say that by keeping Shaikh Saad as heir apparent, the Opec nation risks a potential constitutional crisis when the Amir dies since his successor is not fit to rule. âSome people point out the health condition of the crown prince ... It may be a sign that his health is really not good and that this may be accelerating the process for change in the ruling family,â one diplomat told Reuters. âThe changes could be promoting Shaikh Sabah to become crown prince, maybe as a transitional measure. There are no strong candidates from the other Sabah branch,â he said.
But Shaikh Sabahâs appointment might cause discontent within the family because it would go against Kuwaitâs tradition of alternating power between the two branches of the Sabah family. The current Amir and the prime minister are both from the
Decision taken: Shaikh Saad, who has been in London for medical treatment since August, is due back in Kuwait this month. He had colon surgery in 1997 and spent a week in hospital this year with hyperglycaemia. The Amir suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2001.
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A strong indication that the prime minister was the front-runner for the post was the Amirâs swift backing of his government following Shaikh Salemâs scathing attack. In a statement, the Amir promised to âsettle matters in the interest of Kuwaitâs security and stabilityâ. Analysts said this leaves little doubt about Shaikh Sabahâs powerful status.
Shaikh Sabah, a veteran politician in his 70s, is widely respected for ushering some economic and political reforms since coming to power in July 2003, including granting women the vote. Leading daily Al Qabas said in an editorial the Amir has effectively âsettled mattersâ by publicly praising Shaikh Sabah. âThe renewal of the Amirâs trust in Shaikh Sabah should be a real boost to the government,â it said. âIt should be an impetus for Shaikh Sabah to start taking his own decisions.â