Kuwait Emir 'stable'

Pro-Western: The Emir of Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait -- The emir of oil-rich Kuwait, -- and a key Gulf ally for the U.S. -- is said to be in a "stable" condition after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Kuwaiti health minister Mohammed al-Jarrallah said there was "no reason to worry" about the 73-year-old emir's health.

Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, 73, was flown to Britain on Friday for treatment at London's Cromwell Hospital.

Kuwait is a key ally in the Gulf for Washington with U.S. forces already based in the country.

The emir was Kuwaiti ruler during the Iraqi invasion of the country forcing him and his government to flee into exile.

The invasion prompted the U.S.-led multi-national operation to liberate Kuwait -- an alliance of Western and Muslim nations that at the time was the most wide-ranging military coalition ever mustered.

Domestically, the emir is widely admired and is credited with turning Kuwait into a world financial force.

Crown Prince Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah has become deputy emir in the ruler's absence, according to the country's constitution.

The Kuwait News Agency said the U.S. and British governments had offered medical assistance.

Sheik Jaber is known to be humble in his way of life. He took office Dec. 31, 1977 and has survived an attempt on his life by a Shiite Muslim in a suicide car bombing in May 1985.