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Kuwait's Emir in Stable Condition, Country in Mood of Uncertainty
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 22 (News Agencies) - Kuwait's emir was in a "stable condition" Saturday following a brain hemorrhage, leaving the Gulf emirate to face a period of uncertainty after 24 years of uninterrupted rule by the 73-year-old.
Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who has ruled since 1977, was still under sedation but stable in London's Cromwell hospital, a political source told Agence France-Presse (AFP), describing the hemorrhage as "limited".
"We still don't know how serious it is," he added.
Nevertheless, the illness raised the unresolved question of the succession.
According to the constitution, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah becomes head of the small, oil-rich state if the emir is incapacitated.
However, Sheikh Saad, 71, who has headed successive governments since 1978, also suffers health problems and underwent colon surgery in early 1997.
Since then he has delegated extensive authority to First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Sheikh Sabah has effectively been running the emirate's day-to-day affairs, particularly since last February when the current cabinet was formed.
He reportedly left New York late Friday to receive the emir on his arrival in London. Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah has also extended his visit to London.
"There is some element of worry, but it cannot be overplayed," Ahmed Bishara, secretary-general of the liberal National Democratic Movement, told AFP.
"This eventuality always bothered people, especially since our house is not in order. But there are elements of stability - the constitution and the regional alliance [Gulf Cooperation Council] - which are strong enough to diminish the worry. More than anything right now, we're concerned about the emir's recovery," stressed Bishara.
"If the emir is not in good health, and the crown prince is also suffering from health problems, there is cause for concern," one MP told AFP.
He said it was "premature" to comment on how internal political uncertainty could affect Kuwait's foreign policy.
"Let us first see how the emir's health is, that is the priority, and how long he will be in London," the MP said.
The emir's illness dominated Kuwaiti newspapers Saturday, all of which ran Friday's official statement that Sheikh Jaber had suffered a minor brain hemorrhage and that his condition was not serious enough to be admitted to intensive care.
Al-Rai Al-Aam carried the headline: "Hearts of Kuwaitis with the emir," while the English-language daily
Arab Times read: "Emir alert after brain hemorrhage, in London for tests as Nation prays."
All local newspapers wished the emir a speedy recovery and return to Kuwait.
"I'm shocked at the news," Kuwaiti Talib Dehrab told AFP. "We really feel sad about what has happened and pray the emir will return home soon. In this situation, we need someone like him," he said.
"Of course we feel very sorry about what has happened to the emir," said Fatma Mulla Ali. "This is not the time for him to get sick. The country needs him now more than ever, and we wish he comes home very soon," she added.
Sheikh Jaber flew to London's Heathrow airport Friday night aboard his private plane and was whisked away by private ambulance.
A hospital spokeswoman said security was tight after British police Friday arrested three men and one woman in connection with last week's terrorist strikes on the United States.
The emir's government strongly condemned those attacks, and subsequently put the armed forces on alert.
Kuwait, invaded by Iraqi troops in August 1990 and liberated seven months later, is linked by a defense pact to the United States, which has around 4,500 troops stationed there.
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