Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
On December 17, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with the Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, to convey his condolences on the passing of His Highness Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Secretary Austin expressed heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Nawaf’s family and the people of Kuwait on behalf of the Department of Defense. He shared that President Biden asked him to lead the U.S. delegation to Kuwait to mourn with the Kuwaiti people and express appreciation for the strong legacy that Sheikh Nawaf leaves behind. He conveyed his desire to advance and deepen the defense partnership.