The ruling emir of the oil-rich Arab country of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, has died at the age of 86, Kuwaiti state television reported on Saturday.

State television interrupted regular programming with Quranic verses before making the announcement.

"With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn... the death of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait," said a statement.

International allies expressed condolences at news of the emir's death on Saturday. A statement from the White House said President Joe Biden was, "saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait." 

The European Union released a similar statement.

Who will succeed Sheikh Nawaf in leading Kuwait? 

Sheikh Nawaf only ruled Kuwait for three years. He was sworn in as the oil-rich country's emir in 2020, following the death of his predecessor, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah.

Sheik Nawaf has been succeeded by his half-brother, 83-year-old Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, who had been the world's oldest crown prince before his naming by the Council of Ministers on Saturday afternoon.

The longtime leader of Kuwait's security services, Sheikh Meshal had been serving as the country's deputy ruler at the time of Sheikh Nawaf's death.

What role did Sheikh Nawaf play in Kuwaiti politics?

Prior to his short tenure as Kuwaiti ruler, Sheikh Nawaf held various strategic posts at some of the most critical moments in the country's history.

In 1990, for instance, when neighboring Iraq invaded Kuwait under Saddam Hussein, Sheikh Nawaf was defense minister.

In January 2005, when Kuwaiti security forces faced off against Islamist militants, Nawaf was interior minister.

The health of Kuwait's rulers is a sensitive matter that is rarely discussed publicly, this was no different when it came to Sheikh Nawaf.

In late November, he was rushed to hospital for an unspecified illness. He had previously traveled to the US for "medical checks" in March 2021, according to state-run news outlets.

js,rmt/ab (AFP, AP, Reuters)