Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah

Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
Emir Father of Kuwait
Reign	15 January 2006  – 24 January 2006
Born	1930
Birthplace	Kuwait
Died	13 May 2008 (aged 78)
Place of death	Kuwait
Predecessor	Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Successor	Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Father	Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah

Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, KCMG (Hon) (Arabic: سعد العبد الله السالم الصباح‎ Saʿd al-ʿAbd Allāh as-Sālim as-Sabāh) (1930 – 13 May 2008) was the Emir of Kuwait during a short reign of nine days (15 January to 24 January 2006), succeeding the late Sheikh Jaber.

Early life

Sheikh Saad, who was born in 1930, belonged to the Al-Salim branch of the Al-Sabah family and was eldest son of the late Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1950 to 1965. His mother was of African origin. He attended the Mubarakiya school in Kuwait and Hendon Police College in north London.

Early career

Sheikh Saad served as the president of the police and public service department from 1961 to 1962, minister of interior from 1962 to 1978, and minister of defense from 1964 to 1978. On 31 January 1978, he became Crown Prince. From February 1978 to July 2003, he also served as Prime Minister of Kuwait, after which that role was given to Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He briefly held the position of military governor of Kuwait in 1991–92.

First Gulf War

Sheikh Saad played a major role in liberating Kuwait from Saddam's regime. He refused to compromise with any of Iraq's ministers, and with the head of the PLO, Yasir Arafat. He announced that he would discuss nothing but liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi regime.^{[citation needed]}

In addition, he played a major role in getting Sheikh Jaber out of Kuwait and into Saudi Arabia when the Iraqi soldiers first stepped in.^{[citation needed]} While in exile to Saudi Arabia during the First Gulf War (1990–91), he gave a famous public speech, mistakenly referring to Alaa Hussein Ali, the Kuwaiti quisling, as Aladdin. This mistake was marked by jokes, prompting one of the newspapers in Kuwait to publish a famous headline on its front page, translating to "Where is Aladdin?", which referred to the sudden disappearance of Alaa Hussein Ali following Kuwait's liberation.^{[citation needed]}

Emir of Kuwait

Sheikh Saad had suffered from colon disease, which led to speculation that he would refuse the Emirship. A declaration in November 2005 refuted such speculation, and Sheikh Saad took office as Emir on 15 January 2006 when Sheikh Jaber's death. However, Sheikh Saad attended Jaber's funeral in a wheelchair, and his continued health problems caused some to question his ability to rule. Some members of the Kuwaiti parliament expressed concern that Sheikh Saad would not be able to deliver the two-line oath of office, scheduled for 24 January 2006.

On 23 January 2006, Sheikh Saad agreed to abdicate following a discussion within the ruling family, after only nine days on the throne. Although a new Emir had not yet been announced, it was evident that the position would be assumed by Sheikh Saad's second cousin and the late Sheikh Jaber's half-brother Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

On 24 January 2006, the Kuwaiti parliament voted Saad out of office, moments before an official letter of abdication was received. The Kuwait Cabinet nominated the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to take over as Emir as expected.

Personal life

Married to his cousin, Sheikha Latifa Fahad Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad had five daughters, Maryam, Hessa, Jamayel, Sheikha, Fadya and one son, Fahad. One of his daughters, Sheika, controlled international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). Until late August 1998, she was the executive assistant managing director for international marketing at the body. Another daughter, Hessa, was elected as vice-president of the Arab-Italian chamber of commerce in October 2012. She is also the head of the Arab women's business council and representative of Kuwait in the Chamber's general assembly session.

Death

Sheikh Saad died on 13 May 2008, aged 78, at Shaab Palace in Kuwait City from a heart attack.

Titles

• 1929–1937: Sheikh Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah
• 1937–1978: His Excellency Sheikh Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah
• 8 February 1978 - 12 February 1979: His Highness Sheikh Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah, Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait
• 12 February 1979 – 13 July 2003: His Highness Sheikh Sir Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah, Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, KCMG
• 13 July 2003 – 15 January 2006: His Highness Sheikh Sir Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, KCMG
• 15 January 2006 – 24 January 2006: His Highness Sheikh Sir Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, KCMG
• 24 January 2006 - May 13, 2008: His Highness the Emir Father Sheikh Sir Sa'ad bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Sabah, KCMG

Honours

• Honorary KCMG - 1979

See also

• List of national leaders
• List of emirs of Kuwait

Source

• Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah: The Unforgettable Liberation Hero (1930-2008), Ambassadors Online Magazine, vol. 11, issue 24, July 2008

Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah House of Al-Sabah Born: 1930 Died: 13 May 2008
Regnal titles
Preceded by Jaber III Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah	Emir of Kuwait 2006	Succeeded by Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Political offices
Preceded by Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah	Prime Minister of Kuwait 1978–2003	Succeeded by Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah