Kuwait's new ruler Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Wednesday named Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah as crown prince, state news agency KUNA said, citing a statement from his office.
Sheikh Meshal is deputy chief of the National Guard and a brother of late Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah who died last Tuesday.
The selection of Sheikh Meshal, which must be approved by the Gulf state's parliament, "was blessed by the Al Sabah family," state news agency KUNA cited a statement from the emir's office as saying.
On Tuesday, Sheikh Nawaf asked the cabinet to carry on its duties and prepare for parliamentary elections due this year after the prime minister handed in his government’s resignation.
Parliament will end its term on Oct. 8, Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim later said in remarks broadcast on state television.
Ghanim has said if the emir announces a crown prince on Wednesday, then lawmakers would vote on his choice on Thursday.
