ShareKUWAIT: His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah’s appointment as Crown Prince was widely welcomed by citizens who genuinely believe in his leadership, Kuwaiti editors-in-chief said, trusting his ability to push forward national development and renaissance. Speaking to KUNA separately, they said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s decree appointing His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince was a result of decades of experience and achievements.
The experience and capabilities of His Highness the Crown Prince would certainly contribute to the advancement of Kuwait, they said. “We have known His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled since the early 1980s after working for years at the Foreign Ministry and after having a noticeable presence at the Kuwait Mission to the UN,” said Waleed Al-Nesf, Chief Editor of Al-Qabas newspaper. He noted that when serving as Kuwaiti ambassador in Riyadh, His Highness the Crown Prince had active contributions at the bilateral level with Saudi Arabia, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Confronting COVID, he said, His Highness the Crown Prince was named head of the National Security Bureau at the end of the 1990s, then appointed as Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of Information, and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2011. Al-Nesf said it was quite natural to see His Highness the Crown Prince being assigned as Prime Minister in 2019, forming four governments. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s government succeeded in confronting the coronavirus, bringing in vaccines against COVID-19, and addressing any shortages in medical supplies, medicine, or food.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times Abdullah Boftain affirmed that the people of Kuwait received the decree issued by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal appointing HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince with great joy. He emphasized that the selection of His Highness as Crown Prince constitutes a cornerstone for achieving political stability in Kuwait, particularly in light of his commendable reputation and the acceptance he enjoys from various segments of the population, as well as his distinguished culture of embracing diverse opinions.
Boftain added the people of Kuwait all witnessed the extraordinary efforts exerted by the government of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled during the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the world. The government’s ability to manage the pandemic’s repercussions, including the major evacuation operation to bring Kuwaitis back to their homeland from various parts of the world, was particularly noteworthy.
“I had the privilege of working closely with His Highness the Crown Prince when he led that government and his ministerial team through the ‘exceptional circumstances’ program, which was presented by the ministry of information. This initiative reflected His Highness’ commitment to ensuring daily communication between the people and the leadership through a program that conveyed news from reliable sources and kept the public continuously informed. His Highness directed everyone’s participation in that program to achieve its intended purpose,” he said.
Boftain highlighted the pandemic revealed noble aspects of His Highness the Crown Prince’s character, noting his keenness to share the joy of graduation with the students under the most challenging circumstances. He personally participated in the virtual graduation ceremony held for the 2020 graduates through a recorded speech that was broadcast during the event.
Boftain also touched on the positive impressions left on the attendees during His Highness’ meeting with the editors-in-chief of local newspapers. They observed His Highness’ broad-mindedness, attentive listening to comments and responsiveness to queries raised. He concluded his remarks by praying to Almighty Allah to assist the Crown Prince in carrying the great responsibility for the nation, to grant him success in his journey and to bless him with good and righteousness for the benefit of the country and its people.
On his part, the chief editor of Al-Jarida daily newspaper, Khaled Al-Mutairi, stated that the selection by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince represented the right choice for the new era in Kuwait, the era that has begun with His Highness the Amir. He added that His Highness the Amir saw that His Highness the Crown Prince, with his long career in politics and distinguished journey in diplomacy, along with his experience in dealing with various circumstances, was the right person to shoulder the heavy responsibility hand in hand with His Highness the Amir in leading Kuwait amidst the current situation.
He noted that although His Highness the Amir considered all those precise criteria, his primary motivation was not focusing on the past but on the future, believing that His Highness the Crown Prince was fit to complete the vision of His Highness the Amir, which is expected to be full of development and prosperity after His Highness the Amir removed all obstacles to push for more development and prosperity.
Honorable record
Regarding the Crown Prince’s journey, Al-Mutairi mentioned his honorable record in national struggle, after passing through many milestones where he left his mark on achievements, starting from joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978, then as a member of Kuwait’s permanent delegation to the United Nations, then as an ambassador, and then as the head of the National Security Bureau. He then became the Minister of Social Affairs, then the Minister of Information, until he held the foreign affairs portfolio in 2011, and then became Prime Minister from November 2019 to July 2022, after the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah entrusted him with leading the government.
Later, the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah renewed his trust in him as Prime Minister as well. Al-Mutairi pointed out that the history of His Highness the Crown Prince was promising to achieve the vision of His Highness the Amir, especially after his success in steering the executive authority during the pandemic as he led the country out of that stage of fear and uncertainty with minimal losses as Prime Minister. He added that Kuwait received numerous commendations for how it handled these unforeseen emergencies at a time when many countries were still suffering the repercussions of that crisis and its severe impacts.
Al-Mutairi said that choosing His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince completes the vision His Highness the Amir has for Kuwait, reflecting keenness on achieving the best for Kuwait. He added that Kuwaiti citizens should look forward to more development and prosperity in Kuwait in various fields, including investments, education, health, and more. On his part, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Anba newspaper, Yousef Al-Marzouq, affirmed that the confidence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad in His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled is a deep-rooted trust that has been established through years of diligent work and undertaking tasks and responsibilities.
His Highness is a wise politician who has spent more than 45 years in political and diplomatic fields, with a remarkable journey and significant efforts since assuming his first position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978 until his nomination as Crown Prince, Al-Marzouq added. He highlighted that the spontaneous outpouring of public joy following the announcement of His Highness as Crown Prince reflects the profound admiration for his persona among citizens who sincerely served and protected Kuwait’s present and future.
This sentiment was echoed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad’s declaration of full confidence in him in 2020, as he was described by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad as a “person of integrity” as well as praised by the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad for his course of accomplishment, Al-Marzouq added. Al-Marzouq recalled His Highness’ commitment to boost Kuwaiti media, evidenced by his acknowledgment of its role and responsibilities, during a meeting with the newspaper editors-in-chief, as His Highness underscored the significance of those meetings and his trust in Kuwaiti media.
He mentioned that during these meetings, when asked about the government and economic policies, His Highness emphasized the importance of the economy alongside education, security, and leadership selections. These meetings were characterized by a familial atmosphere, setting an example of transparency and dedication to addressing challenges while highlighting achievement.
On his part, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Rai newspaper, Walid Al-Jassem, stated that joy spread among the Kuwaiti people in welcoming the decision of His Highness the Amir to appoint His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince. He added that His Highness the Crown Prince possesses a set of commendable qualities, efficiency, and high capabilities that have been tested in various situations over the years. He has always been known to be a tough man, no matter how heavy the burden on his shoulder was.
Diplomatic efficiency
Al-Jassem stated that Kuwait, with its geographical location and the wealth it is blessed with, needs high diplomatic efficiency and that no one is more capable than His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, who has represented Kuwait in the best way, utilizing his abilities and relations to serve the interests of Kuwait. He added that regarding the diplomatic aspects of His Highness the Crown Prince, one cannot overlook his great abilities and experiences due to the various positions he held; he became an example of dedication, competence, confidence, and capability.
Al-Jassem added that everyone knew the extent of his integrity and good reputation, which has never been tainted in the various positions he held inside and outside of Kuwait, and it was further enhanced by his noble ethics. He added that while people in many countries were facing multiple difficulties during COVID-19, Kuwait was among the most comfortable countries in the world. Kuwait was also one of the first countries in the region to efficiently handle the lifting of precautionary measures, all thanks to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. — KUNA
