Doha mourns the death of the Gulf region’s renowned diplomatic leader and peacemaker.

Qatar announced three days of mourning following the death of Kuwait’s ruler Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The Amiri Diwan expressed the country’s grief at the loss of its long-term ally by lowering Qatar’s flags at half-mast, while Qatar’s Olympic Committee suspended activities of local sports competitions for three days to mourn the death of the late Kuwaiti Amir.

Sheikh Al-Sabah’s death was described as a regional loss by many, given the former long-time diplomatic leader’s efforts to establish peace in the Gulf and the Middle East as a whole.

“With great sadness and sorrow, the Amiri Diwan mourns the passing of His Highness, the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” said the Amiri Diwan in a statement reported by Kuwait’s national news agency KUNA.

Read also: BREAKING: Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah dies aged 91

Al-Sabah has ruled Kuwait since 2006. His death leaves a large gap in the Gulf region given his prominent role in numerous fields including human rights, economy, and most notably as a mediator between conflicting parties across the region.

Al-Sabah’s role in mediating the current Gulf crisis has been praised nationwide.

The late leader exhibited the strength of Qatari-Kuwaiti relations in recent years, especially since the land, air and sea blockade.

“Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah has a great stature in the heart of every Qatari citizen,” said Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday.

The Kuwaiti Emir will be succeeded by his half brother Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al-Sabah.

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