KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took oath before the National Assembly on Wednesday to become the 16th emir of Kuwait.

The Constitution guaranteed smooth transition of leadership to ensure stability and sustainability, Sheikh Nawaf said, vowing to carry out his responsibility to his utmost best.

"I swear by Almighty Allah to respect the Constitution and the laws of the State, to defend the liberties, interests and properties of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the country," he said.

Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has been named the new Kuwaiti emir after the death of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti government announced on Tuesday evening after an extraordinary meeting.