Gulf Arab nations offer condolences over death of President George H.W. Bush

Gulf Arab nations allied with the US have offered their condolences over the death of President George H.W. Bush.

Bush’s death at the age of 94 takes on greater importance in the region over his actions in the 1991 Gulf War that saw Iraq expelled from Kuwait.

Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, offered his condolences to Bush’s son, the former President George W. Bush.

Sheikh Sabah also offered condolences to current President Donald Trump.

The state-run KUNA news agency said Sheikh Sabah noted Bush’s efforts to “create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations.”

Sheikh Sabah also said Bush never “forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory.”

In the United Arab Emirates Leaders offered condolences to both President Donald Trump and former President George W. Bush for the elder Bush’s death.

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also is the UAE’s prime minister and vice president, tweeted that Emiratis remember Bush as “a firm ally and friend.”

Also Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said similarly offered condolences.

The Bush Family spokesman Jim McGrath said that the former President died shortly Friday evening, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush.

The nation’s 41st president served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W. became the 43rd president.

The elder Bush saw his popularity swell with the United States’ success in the Gulf War in 1991, only to watch it evaporate in a brief but deep recession. The Republican was defeated in his bid for a second term by Democrat Bill Clinton.

Bush had also been a World War II hero, Texas congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagan’s vice president.

Only one other US president, John Adams, had a son who also became president.