Kuwait's ailing sheikh may not step down

KUWAIT - Kuwait's ailing crown prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdulla al-Sabah has no intention of stepping down despite speculation that he will be replaced, a family member said on Wednesday.

"Sheikh Saad does not intend to step down, the intention is not there," the source, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

He said the crown prince's health is better than believed.

Sheikh Saad, 76, is set to succeed his cousin the emir, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 77, but the emir is ill and the crown prince is believed to be incapacitated.

Speculation that Sheikh Saad would quit emerged this month after a senior family member called for "collective leadership" to fill in any imminent power vacuum. The rare outburst highlighted concerns over who would next rule Kuwait, a United States (US) ally which also sits on a tenth of the world's oil reserves.

The ill-health of the emir and his heir has complicated the succession process which alternates between the two ruling branches -- al-Jabers and al-Salems.

The Salem branch have been reluctant to pass on their turn to rule since the only eligible candidate apart from Sheikh Saad is Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who has been running Kuwait's affairs due to the illness of the two leaders.

Another source said the apparent decision that the crown prince would hold on to his post followed mediation efforts between the two family branches which had helped ease tension.

"Messages were carried between the two sides that led to calming things down," the source said.

Sheikh Saad had colon surgery in 1997, spent a week in hospital this year and has often travelled abroad since then for treatment. The emir suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2001.

Following his return from Britain last week, a cabinet statement seemed to suggest no change was imminent.

"The cabinet ... asks God Almighty to give him (Sheikh Saad) ample health so he may continue his usual good work under His Highness the Emir's wise leadership," it said.

- REUTERS