Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah

Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah
Father Emir of Kuwait

Sheikh Saad (r) and Ibrahim Khraibut (l)
Reign 15–24 January 2006
Predecessor 3rd Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Successor 5th Emir Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
House House of Al-Sabah
Father Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
Mother Jameela Al-Sabah
Born 1930
Kuwait
Died 13 May 2008 (aged 78)
Kuwait
Religion Islam

SheikhSaad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, KCMG (Hon) (Arabic: سعد العبد الله السالم الصباح Saʿd al-ʿAbd Allāh as-Sālim as-Sabāh) (1930 – 13 May 2008) was the fourth Emir of Kuwait and Commander of the Military of Kuwait during a short reign of nine days (15 to 24 January 2006), succeeding Sheikh Jaber. Sheikh Saad was a prime flag officer in the Military of Kuwait; in addition, the first to head the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior until 28 January 1963 and the first military officer to head the Ministry of Defense.[1][2]

Early life

Sheikh Saad, who was born in 1930,[3] belonged to the Al-Salem branch of the Al-Sabah family and was eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1950 to 1965.[4] His mother was of East African origin.[3] He attended the Mubarakiya school in Kuwait and Hendon Police College in north London.[3]

Early career

Sheikh Saad debuted his career as one of the first flag officers in the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior. He served as president of the police and public service department from 1961 to 1962. He was appointed as the first Minister of Interior until 28 January 1963. With the forming the 3rd government on 6 December 1964; Sheikh Saad was appointed both minister of interior and Minister of Defense[2] simultaneously and held both posts until the forming of the 9th government on 6 September 1976.[1] On 31 January 1978, he became Crown Prince and held the post until 2006.[5] From February 1978 to July 2003, he also served as Prime Minister of Kuwait, after which that role was given to Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

First Gulf War

A former flag officer of the Military of Kuwait, Sheikh Saad was involved in liberating Kuwait from Saddam's regime.[2] He refused to deal with any of Iraq's ministers or the heads of the Palestine Liberation Organization attempting to compromise the security of the country.[2] During the exile[5] of His Highness Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his declaration of martial law; Sheikh Saad was appointed briefly as the military governor from 1991 to 1992.[2]

Emir of Kuwait

Sheikh Saad had suffered from colon disease, which led to speculation that he would refuse the Emirship. A declaration in November 2005 refuted such speculation, and Sheikh Saad took office as Emir on 15 January 2006 upon Sheikh Jaber's death.[6][7] However, Sheikh Saad attended Jaber's funeral in a wheelchair, and his continued health problems caused some to question his ability to rule. Some members of the Kuwaiti parliament expressed concern that Sheikh Saad would not be able to deliver the two-line oath of office, scheduled for 24 January 2006.

On 23 January 2006, Sheikh Saad agreed to abdicate following a discussion within the ruling family, after only nine days on the throne. Although a new Emir had not yet been announced, it was evident that the position would be assumed by Sheikh Saad's second cousin and the late Sheikh Jaber's half-brother Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

On 24 January 2006, the Kuwaiti parliament voted Saad out of office, moments before an official letter of abdication was received. The Kuwait Cabinet nominated the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to take over as Emir as expected.[8]

Academy of Saad Al-Abdullah for Security Sciences

The college[9] is in charge of training Kuwaiti Police members. It was established in 1969 and named after Sheikh Saad.

Personal life

Married to his cousin, Sheikha Latifa Fahad Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad had five daughters, Maryam, Hessa, Jamayel, Sheikha and Fadya, and one son, Fahad.[3] One of his daughters, Sheika, controlled international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).[10] Until late August 1998, she was the executive assistant managing director for international marketing at the body.[10] Another daughter, Hessa, was elected as vice-president of the Arab-Italian chamber of commerce in October 2012.[11] She is also the head of the Arab women's business council and representative of Kuwait in the Chamber's general assembly session.[11]

Death

Wikinews has related news: Former Emir of Kuwait dies at age 78

Sheikh Saad died on 13 May 2008, aged 78, at Shaab Palace in Kuwait City from a heart attack.[12]

Titles, styles and honours

Monarchical styles of
The 14th Ruler and 4th Emir of Kuwait



Reference style His Highness
Spoken style Your Highness
Alternative style Sheikh

Titles

Honours and Awards

Kuwait National Honours

Arab and non-Arab Honours

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Nine Ministers headed the Interior Ministry since Kuwait's independence
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 , Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense,(Section Arabic Read الجيش الكويتي)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Nonneman, Gerd (17 May 2008). "Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah". The Guardian.
  4. "Kuwait in mourning for ex-leader, election campaign halted". Times of Oman. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the 14th Ruler and 4th Emir
  6. Moran, Dominic (3 July 2006). "Election deepens Kuwait's political crisis". ISN. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  7. "His Highness Sheikh Jaber III". The Telegraph. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  8. PM set to become new Kuwait emir; CNN, 24 January 2006.
  9. Kuwait's Emir sponsors, attends graduation ceremony of officers
  10. 10.0 10.1 "KPC Officials". APS Review Downstream Trends. 21 June 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Al Namir, Mahdi (5 October 2012). "Sheikha Hessa first Arab female Vice-Pres. of Arab-Italian Chamber of Commerce". Kuwait News Agency (Rome). Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  12. "Former emir dies in Kuwait City"; BBC News Online, 13 May 2008
  13. Titles & honours

Sources

Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah
House of Al-Sabah
Born: 1930 Died: 13 May 2008
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Jaber III Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Emir of Kuwait
2006
Succeeded by
Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Political offices
Preceded by
Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Prime Minister of Kuwait
1978–2003
Succeeded by
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah