His Highness Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (photo) took oath before the National Assembly on Wednesday to become the 16th Emir of the state of Kuwait.

“I swear by Almighty Allah to respect the Constitution and the laws of the State, to defend the liberties, interests and properties of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the country,” HH the Emir, reading Article 60 of the Constitution, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

On Tuesday, the Amiri Diwan announced passing away of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Government, holding an extraordinary meeting, named His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad as Amir of Kuwait.

Sheikh Nawaf is the sixth son of the 10th Ruler from the Al Sabah dynasty, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1921 to 1950. He was born on June 25, 1937 and was raised in Dasman Palace.

Sheikh Nawaf, 83, was temporarily given some of the Emir’s constitutional duties on July 18 when the Emir was admitted to hospital for medical checks. Under Kuwaiti law, in the absence of the Emir, the crown prince is appointed as acting ruler. Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in as crown prince in 2006, after Sheikh Sabah was appointed Emir.

Sheikh Nawaf was the Emir’s half brother, he assumed his first governmental position on February 21, 1961 as governor of Hawalli Governorate, until March 19, 1978  he was appointed Minister of Defense and, again, on January 26, 1988 Minister of Defense.

After the 1990 invasion of Iraq, Sheikh Nawaf assumed the post of Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, which he held until 1992. Between 1994 and 2003, Sheikh Nawaf was appointed the Deputy Chief of the National Guard.

Sheikh Nawaf played a key role in maintaining the stability and security of the Gulf and played an active role in the meetings of the Interior Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with the aim to joining forces against common threats.