The
present Amir of Kuwait is HH Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, fourth son
of the late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,
who was born in Kuwait on June 6, 1929,
and educated in the schools of Kuwait
and later completed his studies with private
tutors.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
had been a leading political figure
for the past four decades, and headed
Kuwait`s diplomacy since 1963 when he
became the country`s foreign minister.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
had taken up official duties when he
was appointed on July 19, 1954, by the
late Amir, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem
Al-Sabah, as member of the Higher Executive
Committee assigned with regulating operations
in governmental departments and placing
plans for their activities.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
was then appointed Chairman of the Department
of Social Affairs and Chairman of the
Department of Press and Publications
in 1957, and after Kuwait`s declaration
of independence on June 19, 1961, he
was appointed director of both the Department
Press and Publications and the Department
of Social Affairs and Labor.
On August 26, 1961, the
Higher Executive Committee - which carried
out the duties of today`s cabinet -
was formed and His Highness Sheikh Sabah
became a member as chairman of the two
departments, and late became member
of the Constituent Assembly assigned
with placing the Kuwaiti Constitution.
When departments were regulated into
ministries in November, 1962, His Highness
Sheikh Sabah came to hold a number of
ministerial positions, including Minister
of Guidance and Information - later
changed to the Ministry of Information.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
was also appointed head of the Kuwaiti
delegations to the United Nations and
the Arab League, and became Minister
of Foreign Affairs and head of the permanent
committee of Gulf aid in February, 1963.
As minister, His Highness
Sheikh Sabah became a member of the
National Assembly (parliament) since
its establishment in 1963 and up to
today, and witnessed the different constitutional
events that took place during that period.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, had represented
the late Amir, His Highness Sheikh Jaber
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in many local
and international conferences and meetings
in recent years.
As for the different ministerial
positions that His Highness Sheikh Sabah
held, he was First Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs since
the 16th Cabinet formed on October 18,
1998, and the 20th Cabinet formed on
February 14, 2001.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah
was acting Minister of Information from
February 2, 1971 to February 3, 1975
in addition to his post as Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and was appointed
Deputy Prime Minister on February 16,
1978 in addition to his post as Minister
of Foreign Affairs.
He was appointed Minister
of Information on February 9, 1982 in
addition to his posts as Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of foreign Affairs,
and relinquished his position as Minister
of Information in 1985.
He was appointed Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs on March 3, 1985, and appointed
as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs on October 18, 1992.
On July 13, 2003, an Amiri
decree was issued appointing him Prime
Minister and assigning him to the formation
of the new Cabinet.
His Highness Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took
oath in a special session after the
demise of late amir HH Sheikh Jaber
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, thus becoming
Kuwait`s 15th Amir and commencing a
new and bright era.
|