The 61-year-old leader will be the country’s third president
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be the next president of the UAE, the Supreme Council announced on Saturday.
The 61-year-old leader will be the country’s third president, after succeeding Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away on May 13, at the age of 73.
The Federal Supreme Council convened on Saturday to elect the president, who will hold office for a five-year term before being eligible for re-election. The new president was selected from among the members of the Federal Supreme Council.
Sheikh Mohamed has also served as the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces since January 2005. He is known for playing a key role in developing the UAE Armed Forces in terms of strategic planning, training, organisational structure and promoting defence capabilities.
Under his leadership, the UAE Armed Forces has emerged as a leading institution that is widely admired by international military organisations.
In a poem that paid emotional tribute to the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed posted on Saturday early morning, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, pledged allegiance to the successor.
“May Allah grant [Mohamed bin Zayed] patience and lighten up his path for he is a true carrier of the legacy of [Sheikh Khalifa].”