Sheikh Sabah, Kuwait's ruler who tried healing Gulf rifts, dies

Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, the Minister-in-charge of Royal Affairs, said in a televised statement, "With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn the death of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait," AFP reported.

The state television had cut its regular programming to broadcast Quranic verses, which indicates the death of a senior member of the ruling family.

The royal palace has not disclosed the nature of the Emir's illness or the treatment he was receiving in the US since July after undergoing surgery in Kuwait.

The official statement did not disclose where he died.

Sheikh Sabah had undergone urinary tract surgery in the US in 2007. In 2002, he had had his appendix removed, two years after getting his pacemaker fitted.

Sheikh Sabah was born on June 16, 1929, and was the 15th leader in a family that has ruled Kuwait for over 250 years.

He was the great-grandson of the founder of modern Kuwait, Mubarak Al-Sabah—known to consolidate power under one Emir by ordering the murder of his brothers.

At 33, he took his first government post, before being named Foreign Minister in 1963.

Sheikh Sabah served as the Foreign Minister from 1962 to 1991 and from 1992 to 2003. In 2003, he was named Prime Minister, before taking the throne in 2006.

He was known to be the oil-rich nation's top diplomat who tried to heal rifts between feuding Gulf states.

He also notably rebuilt ties with former foe Iraq after the fall of President Saddam Hussein.