Emir who briefly ruled Kuwait dies at age 78

Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, who ruled this small oil-rich ally of Washington for just nine days before being removed for ill health, died Tuesday. He was 78.

As crown prince, Sheik Saad automatically became Kuwait's ruler when his cousin, Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, died Jan. 15, 2006, after 27 years in power. But it quickly became clear Saad's poor health would not allow him to carry out his new responsibilities, and he faced calls to step down.

Saad's health had started deteriorating after he suffered colon bleeding in 1997. When he appeared on television after the death of Sheik Jaber, Saad was in a wheelchair and could barely shake hands with visitors.

In a historic vote on Jan. 23, 2006, Kuwait's parliament removed Saad from power because of his health and chose as emir another member of the royal family, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, who is the current ruler.

Kuwait's information minister, Sheik Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah, read a Cabinet statement on state television late Tuesday saying Saad "spent his life in the service of Kuwait" and was "a strong defender of its rights."

Following his removal from office, state media gave Saad the title "the father emir," in a sign of respect and recognition. But, except for coverage of occasional visits to his palace by the emir, Saad dropped out of public view.

Born in 1930, Saad was the eldest son of Kuwait's most popular emir, Sheik Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, who ruled from 1950 to 1965 and is known as the founder of modern Kuwait.

Saad started his career in the police force after studying at a military college in England. He served as minister of interior in Kuwait's first Cabinet and then as defense minister until he was named the crown prince and appointed premier in 1978.

While Saad was prime minister, Westernized liberals criticized him for allying the government with Muslim fundamentalists who seek to fully implement Islamic law.

But he was also seen as sympathetic to the Kuwaiti people, opposing moves to decrease state benefits and routinely dedicating time to meet with citizens at his home.