Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has extended felicitations to Kuwait’s new emir, expressing hope for the boosting of ‘friendly’ and ‘fraternal’ ties between the two countries.
In a congratulatory message to Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah on Sunday, Rouhani voiced confidence that thanks to the continuation of the new emir’s wise leadership, the two countries will see the expansion bilateral ties as well as the development of stability and security in the region.
“I sincerely congratulate you on the Emirship of the friendly and brother country of Kuwait,” the Iranian president said.
“I am confident that, as in the past, we will witness further expansion of friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries and the development of stability and security in the region in the light of His Excellency's wise leadership,” the Iranian president stated.
Rouhani also wished health and success for the new Kuwaiti emir as well as dignity and well-being for the Muslim people of Kuwait.
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah has taken the reins of the tiny Persian Gulf state since the demise of his predecessor Sheikh Sabah.
Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Kuwait City on an official visit directed by Rouhani and sat down with Kuwait’s new emir.
Asserting the Islamic Republic’s support for Kuwait, the top Iranian diplomat condoled with the Kuwaiti state and people on behalf of Tehran over the demise of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 91.
The late emir had been in hospital in the United States since July, when he underwent surgery for an unspecified condition.
Sheikh Sabah had ruled the country since 2006. He had also acted as the architect of the kingdom’s foreign policy for more than half a century in his capacity as foreign minister.
His tenure and influence over Kuwait’s policies was most notably marked by constant attempts at brokering Arab and regional peace besides balancing Kuwait’s relations with its neighbors.