Kuwait’s Ruler Has Hemorrhage

The emir of Kuwait suffered a brain hemorrhage Friday and was flown to London for treatment. Although his illness struck at a crucial time, the Persian Gulf nation’s support for the United States in building a coalition against terrorism seemed sure to stand.

Sheik Jabbar al Ahmed al Sabah, 75, arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport in a Kuwaiti plane shortly after 9:30 p.m. Kuwaiti officials there said he would be treated at Cromwell Hospital. He was reported to be in stable condition.

The emir did not lose consciousness “at any stage,” said Kuwaiti Health Minister Mohammed Ahmed Jarrallah.

Jabbar did not require admission to intensive care before his transfer to London, and the health minister told reporters that the bleeding was localized.

“Just the fact that he is going to be taking the flight is proof that he is improving,” Jarrallah said.

First in line to succeed the emir is the crown prince, Sheik Saad al Abdullah al Sabah, who at 71 is also in poor health. Saad, who is prime minister and a distant cousin of the emir, has undergone surgery for bleeding in the colon and has spent long periods in Britain and the United States for treatment.

Most likely to be next in line is the emir’s brother, Sheik Sabah al Ahmed al Jabbar al Sabah, the 72-year-old foreign minister, who is believed to already be running the country’s day-to-day affairs because of the prime minister’s health problems.