Traditionally, the role of ruling Emir alternated (according to a tacit agreement) between two rival branches of the Al Sabah family – the Al Jaber and the Al Salem. The succession was always strictly a family affair, and any disputes remained behind closed doors.
Tradicionalmente, el papel de emir gobernante alternaba (conforme a un acuerdo tácito) entre dos ramas rivales de la familia Al Sabah: los Al Jaber y los Al Salem.