President George W. Bush Monday placed a phone call to Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, the new Emir of Kuwait, to offer him condolences on the death of his brother, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and to congratulate him on his new leadership role. White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters in Washington yesterday that the president called the Emir Monday morning. "The president called the Emir of Kuwait to extend personal condolences on the death of his brother, the late Emir, and to offer congratulations and best wishes as he takes over the position," McClellan said. "The Emir expressed his appreciation for the call and indicated he would continue on the path of his brother, including building upon our strong U.S.-Kuwaiti relations," McClellan said. The spokesman also said that Bush invited the Emir to the White House at a time of his convenience.
