KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kuwaiti cabinet here Sunday appointed Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah new emir of the oil-rich kingdom after the death of his predecessor, an official statement said.

    Information Minister Anas al-Rasheed made the announcement on state television after the cabinet held an emergency meeting.

    "In line with the constitution and the fourth article of the 1964 emirate inheritance law, the council of ministers declares crown prince sheikh Saad Al-Abdallah Salem Al-Sabah Emir of the country" said the statement.

    Kuwait's Emiri Diwan announced on Sunday the demise of Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Sunday dawn.

    A nation-wide mourning is declared for 40 days and Kuwait's state institutions will be closed for three days, starting from Sunday, according to a statement from the Emiri Diwan. Enditem