KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait's ruler Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has underwent a surgery that required the country's crown prince to be temporarily empowered to serve in his place, according to a ministerial decree.

The state-run KUNA news agency had described Sheikh Al-Sabah's hospitalization Saturday as “medical checks,” citing a statement from the country's royal court. Several hours later, KUNA published a second report saying that 83-year-old Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah had assumed some of Sheikh Al-Sabah’s powers temporarily.

A copy of the ministerial decree posted by Kuwait's official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm said the crown prince would be empowered for “the duration of a surgical procedure until the health event is over.”

In a telephone call on Saturday, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman inquired about Sheikh Sabah's health and be reassured of his condition.

King Salman, in his phone call, wished the Kuwaiti emir permanent good health and wellness.

For his part, the Kuwaiti emir expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for his noble fraternal feelings, praying that Almighty Allah may abundantly reward him. — Agencies