KUWAIT CITY — Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in Wednesday as the new emir of Kuwait. Sheikh Nawaf took an oath before Kuwait's National Assembly to become the 16th emir of the Gulf state.

"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," Sheikh Sheikh Nawaf was quoted by the Kuwait News Agency as reading Article 60 of the Constitution.

Sheikh Nawaf took the reins after Kuwait’s former Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died on Tuesday in the United States, where he was receiving medical treatment since July after undergoing surgery in Kuwait.

The new Kuwaiti said he would carry on with his predecessor’s policies and vowed to work to ensure the prosperity, stability, and security of his country.

“We affirm our pride in our constitution and our democratic approach,” Shiekh Nawaf said. — Agencies