Emirates Herald reported that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed, 61, has already been elected the new president of the United Arab Emirates, announced this Saturday by the Federal Supreme Council, in place of his half-brother, Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. who died this Friday at the age of 73.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was already at the helm of the country since his brother suffered a stroke in January 2014, but his election formalizes his position as leader of this extremely rich oil state of 10 million inhabitants.
The new President has also served as Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces since January 2005. He is known for playing a key role in the development of the UAE Armed Forces in terms of strategic planning, training, organizational structure and promotion of defense capabilities.
Under his tenure, the UAE Armed Forces have become a leading institution that is widely admired by military organizations internationally.
Similarly, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was declared president a day after the death of his father, founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on November 2, 2004.
The United Arab Emirates began 40 days of mourning from this Friday after the president’s death. Government and private offices will be closed for three days from Saturday, and work will resume on Tuesday, May 17.