Sheikh Nawaf hailed as one of modern Kuwait's founders

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a congratulatory letter to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday, on the 13th anniversary of His Highness' assumption of his post. In the letter, His Highness Sheikh Sabah congratulated His Highness Sheikh Nawaf on the occasion, wishing him a long healthy life. His Highness also noted the efforts of His Highness the Crown Prince in serving Kuwait and its people. Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received a letter from His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, thanking him for his kind words and feelings. His Highness the Crown Prince hailed the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah that led Kuwait to see more development on all levels, wishing him a long healthy life. His Highness the Crown Prince also received similar letters of congratulations from National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Exceptional case
His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is an exceptional case when it comes to loving the homeland and its people, Deputy Chief of Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said. Expressing great pride and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf's sincere efforts and achievements throughout the years, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad said that His Highness 'invested' in Kuwait's love. An example of devotion and giving, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf has the qualities of a distinguished leader who combines firmness and tolerance, and an ability to face challenges with wisdom, Sheikh Meshaal noted, adding that His Highness Sheikh Nawaf showed leadership skills in all his posts, including as the governor of Hawalli, defense minister, social affairs minister, and at the National Guard, stressing that in each of these posts, he left a clear mark and achievement, especially in fighting terrorism during his tenure as interior minister.

In the meantime, Minister of Information Mohammad Al-Jabri said that the Kuwaiti people will always remember actions taking by His Highness towards maintaining peace, security, development, law and sovereignty of Kuwait in every position he held during five decades of serving the country, during which he was one of the most prominent and contemporary figures in building modern Kuwait. He recalled February 20, 2006, when the nation's MPs gathered and approved Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad as the new Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait in a vote that reflected, if nothing, a 'thorough vision' due to the insurmountable level of confidence in His Highness Sheikh Nawaf's leadership qualities. Kuwaitis appreciate the experience of His Highness; a living example of a patriotic leader who spares no effort in supporting the aspirations of his people towards a prosperous future, Jabri noted. He concluded reaffirming His Highness the Crown Prince's humbleness and generosity, wishing him great health and longevity in serving His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people.

A founding father
Celebrating his 13thanniversary as Crown Prince today, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, along with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, are both viewed by the people as members of the founding fathers of the modern country. In line with an Amiri decree on February 7, 2006, His Highness the Crown Prince became the closest aide of His Highness the Amir in his efforts to continue building the modern state and the march towards development and prosperity. After the MPs unanimously approved the nomination, His Highness the Crown Prince was sworn in at the National Assembly and took up his duties on February 20, 2006. His Highness the Crown Prince offered, over the last decades, outstanding contributions to Kuwait's drive to become a modern, advanced and prosperous country.

He was nominated by the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as governor of Hawalli on February 21, 1961, and maintained the post until March 19, 1978; during this period, Kuwait gained independence from Britain in June 1961. He served as minister of interior between March 19, 1978, and February 26, 1988, when he took up the portfolio of defense during the reign of late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

After Kuwait's liberation from the Iraqi invasion, he served as minister of social affairs and labor between April 20, 1991, and October 19, 1992. His Highness Sheikh Nawaf was nominated as deputy chief of the National Guard on October 16, 1994, until July 13, 2003, when he was designated to the portfolio of the interior. On October 16, 2003, he was nominated as first deputy prime minister and minister of interior and maintained the post until February 7, 2006, when he was designated as Crown Prince.

During his tenure as governor of Hawalli, he was able to turn the governorate from a primitive village into a lively business center featured by modern urban planning and economic activities. As minister of interior, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf managed to preserve the security and stability of the country and address all concerns of the public through introducing the latest security systems and equipment, and building the capacity of the police personnel. He optimized use of the information technologies in the combat against all forms of crimes and tightening the control over the borders. He laid down a comprehensive strategy for preserving the security on along the land and maritime borders, thus denying access to hostile infiltrators who might tamper with the security and stability of the country.

Remarkable achievements
During his tenure as minister of defense, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf upgraded the army through modern training and provision of the latest weapons. As minister of social affairs and labor following the Iraqi invasion of 1990, he made remarkable humanitarian achievements in caring for the widows and orphans and bereaved elderly people. He also rehabilitated the labor market through helping the workers resume their jobs after the liberation war. During the catastrophe of invasion, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf contributed to security the safe travel of the legitimate authorities to neighborly Saudi Arabia and mobilizing, later on, the military and civilian resources for resistance against the Iraqi occupation forces.

When the country was hit by terrorist attacks in January 2005, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf led the war against terrorism until he made sure that all terrorist cells were thoroughly broken. On the regional front, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf attached great importance to the security of the Arabian Gulf states. He played an active role in the meetings of interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states with a view to joining forces against common threats, notably those relating to terrorism. In 2018, His Highness the Crown Prince was honored by visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with a medal for his supportive stance towards the people of Palestine. - KUNA