Iraqi President Barham Salih arrived on Thursday in Kuwait at the head of a delegation including Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Planning and Representatives of political forces, to offer condolences to Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait on the passing away of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

On behalf of the Iraqi people and on his own behalf, President Salih extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, to all Al-Sabah family and to all Kuwaitis on the death of Sheikh Sabah who had a long history in serving his people and addressing the region's issues.

At this tragic loss, he expressed the sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy, and prayed to the Almighty for safeguarding the fraternal State of Kuwait, for all Kuwaitis and the Emir's bereaved family patience and solace and for the late Emir's eternal rest in peace./ agencies

Havana, (Prensa Latina) On occasion of the death of Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Cuba has decreed official mourning from 06:00 local time Thursday to 00:00 Friday.

Through Presidential Decree 138, President Miguel Diaz-Canel recognized the Emir's contribution to promote ties with important regional blocs, as well as strengthen bilateral relations with Cuba.

According to the provision, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast in public buildings and military institutions today.

Shortly before the mourning was announced, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez sent condolences to the Kuwaiti government and people for Al-Sabah's death, in a message posted on his Twitter account.

Kuwait's Emir died at the age of 91 on Tuesday in the United States, where he had been receiving hospital treatment since late July.

In the last few years, Al-Sabah was recognized as one of the main diplomats in the region for being mediator in several disputes, including the diplomatic conflict between Qatar and several neighboring countries.

ANKARA

Turkey's foreign minister arrived in Kuwait on Thursday to offer condolences over the death of the Gulf state’s emir.

"In #Kuwait to convey our condolences on behalf of [Turkish] President @RTErdogan and the Turkish nation," Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter.

On Tuesday, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who has ruled the oil-rich state since 2006, died at the age of 91. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah was named the new Kuwaiti emir to succeed the late ruler.

Cavusoglu also visited the new emir and offered condolences to the al-Sabah family.

“We offered the condolences of [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and our nation to the new Emir Sheikh Nawaf. We extend our condolences to the people of Kuwait; our friends, brothers, and sisters,” Cavusoglu said in a tweet.

In a statement, Erdogan had said he received the news of the emir's demise with "great sadness".

"On behalf of the Turkish nation, I convey my sincere condolences to the friendly and brotherly people of Kuwait."/aa

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received cable of condolences Thursday from U.S President Donald Trump over the passing of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah.

Trump noted in the cable that His Highness late Amir was a friend and partner, underlining that he had honored him with the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander. His Highness the Amir replied in a cable expressing gratitude to the U.S. president for his sincere condolences and praised the solid and historic relations that bind the two friendly countries.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah received on Thursday a letter of condolences from Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani on the demise of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. President Rouhani eulogized Sheikh Sabah for his role to create an atmosphere of moderation in the region. His Highness the Amir sent a cable in reply expressing gratitude for the solace.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received a cable of condolences from Serb President Aleksander Vucic on the death of his predecessor Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He hailed Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad for his key role in boosting development in Arab countries and relations between Kuwait and Serbia. Sheikh Nawaf answered, thanking the Serb leader for the compassion and solace over the tragic event.

In the meantime, His Highness the Amir received Thursday a cable of condolences from Hungarian President Janos Ader, expressing deep sympathies on demise of the late Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad, and wished Sheikh Nawaf success in his reign.

In return, His Highness the Amir expressed appreciation for sincere condolences and praised deep-rooted ties shared by Kuwait and Hungry. Also, His Highness the Amir received Thursday a cable of condolences from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, on the demise of His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah. The cable expressed Eritrean president’s deepest condolences to His Highness the Amir and Kuwaiti people. In return, His Highness the Amir sent a cable of gratitude and appreciation for sincere sympathies, for condolences as well, wishing him good health.

Condolences

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received Thursday a cable from Cuban President Miguel Diaz- Canel expressing condolences on demise of Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Cuban president underlined Sheikh Sabah’s prominent role in boosting bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, wishing that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf and the Kuwaiti people would endure the grave event with patience. His Highness the Amir replied in a cable, expressing gratitude to the Cuban president for expressing solidarity and solace over the grave event, wishing him good health and well-being. In the meantime, His Highness the Amir received Thursday a cable from President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega to express condolences over passing away of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Ortega recalled the deceased who was know for his service of humanitarian causes and relentless efforts to boost security and stability in the region. His Highness the Amir thanked Ortega, in a cable, for his condolences and wished him good health and for his country progress and prosperity.

His Highness the Amir on Thursday also received a cable from Panamian President Laurentino Cortizo expressing, in person and on behalf of his people, heartfelt condolences on demise of the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf sent a cable in reply to the Panamian president, expressing sincere gratitude and appreciation for the compassion and solace toward this grave event, wishing him lasting health and well-being.

Heartfelt

His Highness the Amir received a cable from King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, offering heartfelt condolences over His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In the cable, the king of Sweden also congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, wishing him success.

In reply, His Highness the Amir sent the king a cable, thanking and appreciating him for his kind sympathies. Meanwhile, Kuwait Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Hamad Burhama expressed his grief Thursday over demise of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Burhama, who was receiving officials to offer condolences on the passing away of His Highness the Amir, stated, “It is a sad event that affects all Kuwaitis and peace-loving peoples.”

His Highness the late Amir had paid visits of good and constructive outcomes to Malaysia and maintained close relations with the Asian nation since a long time ago, he added. Arab, foreign ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of the United Nations and the European Union in Malaysia, offered condolences at the Kuwaiti embassy over demise of the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. Malaysian Sports and Youth Minister Reezal Merican, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein offered and signed in the condolences book. Other leaders who expressed solace were Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifl i Mohamad and Chairman of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) Mohamad Azmi Abdul Hamid./ AT

 The Gulf states and the wider Middle East mourned the death on Tuesday of the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Sabah, who was 91, had ruled Kuwait since 2006, and steered its foreign policy for more than 50 years. He died in the US, where he had been in hospital since July following surgery in Kuwait.

Flags flew at half staff in Kuwait, which began 40 days of mourning. “Goodbye, Emir of Humanity,” read a large banner on a street near the Kuwait stock exchange.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent their condolences to the people of Kuwait and the Al-Sabah family.

“With the departure of Sheikh Sabah, we lose a wise leader who devoted his life to the service of his country and the Islamic and Arab nations,” said the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. “We console ourselves and our brothers in Kuwait for this great loss.”

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf said the world had “lost the pioneer of development, always striving for good, love and peace, aiming to strengthen harmony, cooperation and solidarity among the peoples of the world, and who spared no effort for the good of all humanity.”

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said Sheikh Sabah was a voice of wisdom and moderation. “He was one of the leaders of Kuwait who worked on its prosperity and supported its stability,” he said.

Sheikh Sabah has been succeeded as emir by his brother, Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, 83, who will be sworn in on Wednesday.

Dahim Alqahtani, a Kuwaiti politics expert, said the emirate’s policies were unlikely to change under the new emir. “I believe Kuwait will follow Sheikh Sabah’s policies, which are based on balance and bridging differences,” he told Arab News.