KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Sabahal-Ahmad al-Sabah was sworn in Sunday as the ruler of the oil-rich Gulf emirate after the National Assembly (parliament) unanimously approved the cabinet nomination.

    The new emir, who had been the prime minister and is half brother of the late emir, take the oath before the legislators.

    "I swear by Almighty God to respect the Constitution and thelaws 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 Sabah said.

    Earlier in the day, the National Assembly unanimously approved new emir Sheik Sabah by voting, ending an unprecedented leadership crisis that saw the legislature vote to oust the former leader.

    In addition to 14 cabinet members, 50 lawmakers of the assembly voted unanimously for the new emir who was nominated following last week's ousting of Sheikh Saad al-Adbullah al-Sabah by the parliament for health reasons.

    Crown Prince Sheikh Saad had automatically become the emir to succeed his predecessor Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah who died onJan. 15.

    However, by saying Sheikh Saad is no longer fit to carry out his constitutional duties because of his poor health, the cabinet named Sheikh Sabah as the new emir during its special session last Tuesday night only hours after the abdication of Sheikh Saad.Enditem