Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s long-time de facto ruler, was chosen president on Saturday, official media said, a day after former leader Sheikh Khalifa died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Federal Supreme Council elected Sheikh Mohamed as ruler of the oil-rich kingdom founded by his father in 1971.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheikh Mohamed, also known as ‘MBZ,’ met with members of the Federal Supreme Council, which is made up of the rulers of the UAE’s seven emirates, as the oil-rich nation mourns the death of his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His elevation, which was widely expected, solidifies his position as leader of the ten-million-strong desert state after years of dictating policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United Arab Emirates has launched a man in space, sent a rover to Mars, and built its first nuclear reactor under his low-key leadership, all while utilizing its oil-funded clout to establish a more assertive foreign policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has emerged as a leader of a reconfigured Middle East, developing connections with Israel and joining a battle against Iran-backed terrorists in Yemen, thanks to the withdrawal of conventional powers and the decreased involvement of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed’s predecessor, died on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khalifa, who was also ruler of the UAE’s richest emirate, Abu Dhabi, died, according to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, although no specifics were provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died on Friday, and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs expressed its condolences to the UAE people, Arab and Islamic nations, and the rest of the globe.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE will observe a 40-day mourning period beginning Friday, with flags flying at half-mast and all public and private sector organizations suspending operations for three days, according to the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon after Khalifa’s death, Arab leaders began sending condolences, including Bahrain’s monarch, Egypt’s president, and Iraq’s prime minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sorrow over Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed’s death in a condolence statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s long-time de facto ruler, was chosen president<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":16500,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[591],"tags":[944],"class_list":["post-16498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed"],"yoast_head":"\n