Sheikh Sheikh ( , , , , ''shuyūkh'' ) is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning "elder (administrative title), elder". It commonly designates a tribal chief or a Muslim ulama, scholar. Though this title generally refers to me ...

Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah () (13 May 1930 – 13 May 2008) was the Emir of Kuwait from 15 January 2006, succeeding Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, until abdicating nine days later on 24 January. Prior to that he had been

Prime Minister of Kuwait The prime minister of Kuwait is the head of government of Kuwait. As the third most powerful official in the country, following the Emir of Kuwait and List of Speakers of Kuwait National Assembly, Speaker of the National Assembly, the prime min ...

from 1978 to 2006. Saad was a general commander in the

Military of Kuwait The Kuwait Armed Forces () are the military forces of the State of Kuwait. They consist of the Kuwait Air Force, the Kuwait Army, the Kuwait Navy & the Kuwait National Guard. The governing bodies are the Kuwait Ministry of Defense,

; in addition, the first to head the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior until 16 February 1978 and the first

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...

officer to head the Ministry of Defense since 1964.

Early life

Saad, who was born in 1930, belonged to the Al-Salem branch of the

Al-Sabah The House of Sabah ( ''Āl Ṣabāḥ'') is the ruling family of Kuwait. History Origin The Al Sabah family originate from the Bani Utbah confederation. Prior to settling in Kuwait, the Al Sabah family were expelled from Umm Qasr in southern I ...

family and was eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1950 to 1965. His mother is Ethiopian and he had two younger paternal half-brothers; Sheikh Khalid and Sheikh Ali. His youngest brother Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is a governor. He attended the Mubarakiya school in Kuwait and Hendon Police College in

North London North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames and the City of London. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshi ...

Early career

Saad debuted his career as the first

military officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent c ...

to head the

ministry of interior An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, th ...

and ministry of defense in 1962 and 1964, respectively. He served as the general commander of the Directorate of Public Security Force and the Directorate of Police from 1961 to 1962. Following the formation of the 3rd government on 6 December 1964; Saad was appointed both minister of interior and of defense simultaneously and held both posts until 1978. On 16 February 1978, he became Crown Prince and held the post until 13 July 2006.
Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the 14th Ruler and 4th Emir

First Gulf War

Saad was the leader involved in liberating Kuwait from Saddam's regime. He refused to deal with any of Iraq's ministers attempting to compromise the security of the country during the exile of Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his declaration of

martial law Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...

Emir of Kuwait

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 Saad took office as Emir on 15 January 2006 upon Jaber's death. However, 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

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repr ...

expressed concern that Saad would not be able to deliver the two-line

oath of office An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before assuming the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. Suc ...

, scheduled for 24 January 2006. On 24 January 2006, the National Assembly voted Saad out of office, moments before an official letter of abdication was received. The Kuwait Cabinet nominated Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to take over as Emir.

Personal life

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

Death

Saad died on 13 May 2008, aged 78, at Shaab Palace in

Kuwait City Kuwait City (; ) is the capital and largest city of Kuwait. Located at the heart of the country on the south shore of Kuwait Bay on the Persian Gulf, it is the political, cultural and economic center of the emirate, containing Kuwait's Seif Pal ...

from a heart attack and was buried in Sulaibikhat Cemetery. The Academy of Saad Al-Abdullah for Security Sciences is named after the former Emir.Kuwait's Emir sponsors, attends graduation ceremony of officers
da.gov.kw 2011

References

Sources

''Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah: The Unforgettable Liberation Hero (1930–2008)''
Ambassadors Online Magazine, vol. 11, issue 24 July 2008 , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah 1930 births 2008 deaths Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George House of Al-Sabah Kuwaiti Muslims Prime ministers of Kuwait Rulers of Kuwait Sunni monarchs Monarchs who abdicated Defence ministers of Kuwait Deputy prime ministers of Kuwait Interior ministers of Kuwait Children of prime ministers