Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan being greeted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Rashed al-Mansoori/Ministry of Presidential Affairs via AP, File)Rulers in the United Arab Emirates have unanimously appointed Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the autocratic nation’s president, signalling unity and stability in this key energy-rich country that hosts western militaries. The ascension of Sheikh Mohammed, 61, had been expected after the death on Friday of his half-brother and the UAE’s president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the age of 73. Expand Close The funeral of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Abdulla Al Neyadi/Ministry of Presidential Affairs/AP) / FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsapp The funeral of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Abdulla Al Neyadi/Ministry of Presidential Affairs/AP)The UAE also diplomatically recognised Israel, which shares Sheikh Mohammed’s longstanding suspicion of Iran. Sheikh Mohammed had been the UAE’s de facto president since a 2014 stroke saw Sheikh Khalifa disappear from public view. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE under Sheikh Mohammed has sought to rehabilitate ties to Iran and Turkey, which has backed Islamists in the region.

Source: Irish Independent May 14, 2022 15:49 UTC