Former emir dies in Kuwait City

A former Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, has died in Kuwait City at the age of 78 after a long illness, state television reports.

Sheikh Saad ruled Kuwait for nine days in January 2006 before being removed by parliament because of ill health.

Born in 1930, he was the eldest son of the late Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah, known as the father of independence and the constitution.

Sheikh Saad became crown prince in 1978 and was prime minister until July 2003.

In 1997, Sheikh Saad spent seven months abroad for treatment and recuperation from colonic bleeding.

He will be buried on Wednesday, state television said.