Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah

Sheikh Saad, who was born in 1930,[3] belonged to the Al-Salem branch of the Al-Sabah family and was eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1950 to 1965.[4] He had two younger paternal half-brothers; Sheikh Khalid and Sheikh Ali. His youngest brother Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is a governor. His mother was of East African origin.[3] He attended the Mubarakiya school in Kuwait and Hendon Police College in north London.[3]

Sheikh Saad was a pillar and debuted his career as the first military officer to head the Kuwait Ministry of Interior and Kuwait Ministry of Defense since 1962 and 1964 respectively. He served as the general commander of the Directorate of Public Security Force and the Directorate of Police from 1961 to 1962. Consequently, he was appointed as the first Minister of Interior. With the forming the 3rd government on 6 December 1964; Sheikh Saad was appointed both minister of interior and defense simultaneously and held both posts until 1978.[2] On February 16 1978, he became Crown Prince and held the post until July 13 2006.[5] 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.

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 upon Sheikh Jaber's death.[6][7] 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.

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.[8]

The college[9] is in charge of training Kuwaiti Police members. It was established in 1969 and named after Sheikh Saad.

Married to his cousin, Sheikha Latifa Fahad Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad had five daughters, Maryam, Hessa, Jamayel, Sheikha and Fadya, and one son, Fahad.[3] One of his daughters, Sheika, controlled international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).[10] Until late August 1998, she was the executive assistant managing director for international marketing at the body.[10] Another daughter, Hessa, was elected as vice-president of the Arab-Italian chamber of commerce in October 2012.[11] She is also the head of the Arab women's business council and representative of Kuwait in the Chamber's general assembly session.[11]

Wikinews has related news: Former Emir of Kuwait dies at age 78

Sheikh Saad died on 13 May 2008, aged 78, at Shaab Palace in Kuwait City from a heart attack.[12]

• : Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG – 12 February 1979)[13]

• House of Al-Sabah
• Mubarak Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Flag of Kuwait

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah.

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