Politicians and dignitaries in various capitals of the world have grieved the demise of the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praising him as a stalwart who devoutly served Kuwait for 50 years. In addition to his long service for the homeland, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad is widely remembered for his shrewd diplomacy, humanitarian initiatives and noticeable contributions for aiding nations in need at hard times. Sad news of Sheikh Al-Ahmad’s death echoed to Lebanon, where leaders paid tribute to the late Amir for helping the country. “There is a painful and distressing occasion today as we remember Kuwait’s stance and its late Amir who had always given Lebanon much more than it would deserve,” said the caretaker foreign minister, Sherbel Wehbeh, in remarks to KUNA.
Former prime minister Fuad Al-Siniora eulogized Sheikh Sabah as “the Amir of compassion, wisdom and diplomacy . He was a stalwart who had served for nearly 50 years as foreign minister, prime minister and Amir of the country (Kuwait).” He recalled Sheikh Sabah’s aid for the country during the warfare with Israel in 2006 and the “terrorist offensive” at Nahr Al-Bared camp in the north in 2007 — when the army fought a costly battle against entrenched hardliners. In Turkey, Syrian humanitarian societies held a rally in solidarity with the Kuwaiti people in mourning the demise of the Amir. Meanwhile, the director of the Turkish association “Ataa” in Shanliurfa, Usama Al-Shaidoun, said in a telephone call with KUNA that the late Amir had greatly contributed to soothing Syrian refugees’ pain through relief aid and building “Sabah Al-Ahmad village” to shelter refugees in Calis in South Turkey. Kuwait, during Sheikh Sabah’s era, hosted three conferences for pledging aid for the Syrian people.
He also chaired the fourth convention at this level in London. Meanwhile, a Palestinian grouping named “the Palestinian popular convention in diaspora” released a statement, underlining Sheikh Sabah’s “brave stands on side of the Palestinian people and supporting the Palestinian cause at international and Arab quarters.”
The late Amir remained faithful to Palestine and Jerusalem throughout his life, the gathering statement said. During a reception held by the State of Kuwait Embassy in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif eulogized the late Amir as one of the wise leaders who was distinguished with political shrewdness. In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council held a mourning session and observed a minute of silence in homage to the deceased Amir. The State of Kuwait Representative to the UN and International Organizations, Ambassador, Jamal Al-Ghuneim, expressed appreciation for the council gesture that depicted great international gratitude for Sheikh Sabah for his outstanding humanitarian role and efforts.