Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad is the most fortunate to assume the mandate...

Today, Thursday, Reuters news agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, half-brother of the Emir of Kuwait, is the most likely to assume the position of crown prince in the country.

Since the new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah assumed power, on Wednesday, succeeding the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, Kuwaitis have been waiting for the announcement of the name of the candidate for the position of crown prince, which will be referred to Parliament in order to pledge allegiance to him.

“It is likely that Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber, Deputy Chief of the National Guard will get the position, which usually includes managing the government’s difficult relationship with Parliament,” the sources who spoke to Reuters said.

Among the candidates whose names were put forward in addition to Sheikh Mishaal, the eldest son of the late Emir, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad (72 years), and his nephew Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad (79 years).

Under the constitution, the emir has up to a year to choose an heir, but analysts expect a decision in the coming weeks, as the names of senior members of the Al Sabah family will be put up for the position.

“Sheikh Nawwaf was the oldest crown prince in the world, at the age of 83, and this makes it important to determine who will choose him for the mandate of the crown,” said Courtney Freer, a researcher at the Middle East Center at the London School of Economics and Political Science.