Sheikh Meshal is the seventh son of former ruler Ahmed Al-Jaber.
Sheikh Meshal was declared yesterday the new emir of Kuwait following the passing of his brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
- Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, had been Kuwait's de facto ruler since 2021, when the frail emir Sheikh Nawaf handed over most his duties.
- Before becoming the crown prince three years ago, Sheikh Meshal dedicated much of his career to building the security and defence of the Gulf state.
- Sheikh Meshal becomes Kuwait's third emir in just over three years. His brother, Sheikh Nawaf, became emir in September 2020 following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad.
- Sheikh Meshal was deputy chief of the National Guard from 2004-2020 and head of State Security for 13 years after joining the interior ministry in the 1960s.
- During a visit to China in September, Sheikh Meshal attended the opening ceremony of the Asian Olympic Games and signed various economic agreements with the country.
