Kuwait said its 91-year-old ruler has undergone successful surgery, without elaborating on what ails him, according to a report published on the state-run KUNA news agency on Sunday.
The Gulf nation has yet to elaborate on what required Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment on Saturday.
Sheikh Sabah’s sudden surgery could inspire a renewed power struggle within Kuwait’s ruling family.
KUNA news agency had described Sheikh Sabah’s hospitalisation on Saturday as “medical checks”, citing a statement from the country’s royal court.
Several hours later, KUNA published a second report saying 83-year-old Crown Prince Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah had assumed some of Sheikh Sabah’s powers temporarily, without explaining why that was necessary.
However, a copy of the ministerial decree posted by Kuwait’s official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, and seen by The Associated Press news agency on Sunday said the crown prince would be empowered for “the duration of a surgical procedure until the health event is over”. The decree did not elaborate further.