Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan becomes President of the UAE

Reporter:| Edited by: | Source: Reuters | Updated: May 14, 2022 5:16 pm IST

Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates, was elected President of the Gulf Arab States by the Federal Supreme Council on Saturday and is OPEC’s oil producers and key regions. Consolidated his control over the player.

When long-standing relations between the United Arab Emirates and the United States are tense in the perception of the United States’ departure from security concerns in the Gulf countries, and to help Western countries isolate Russia in the Ukrainian conflict. He becomes president when he seeks help from the community.

The council, which groups the rulers of the seven United Arab Emirates, is known as MbZ the day after the death of half-brother Sheikh Harifa bin Zayed, who was also the ruler of Abu Dhabi. I elected Mohammed.

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, said, “We congratulate him and give him loyalty as our people do. I swear … and the whole country will be glorified according to his leadership. ” Twitter posts.

MbZ, 61, has been exercising power for many years, during which he led the reorganization of the Middle East, creating a new anti-Iranian axis with Israel, investing in the UAE army and its oil. Coupled with wealth, it has expanded the influence of Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates, the center of trade and tourism, also saw Russia and China when the political capital of Washington between Abu Dhabi and Riad was eroded by the differences in the favorable arms sales situation of the Yemen War, Iran and the United States. Deepened the relationship with.

Christine Diwan, a senior resident student at the Institute for Arab Gulf Countries in Washington, said:

“The future direction under him is set, and other Gulf countries that are country-led and adopt global-oriented economic diversification and more aggressive foreign policy beyond the Gulf and traditional partners. It is reflected in the leader of. ”

The Biden administration has moved to restore relations between oil giant Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both refused to participate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and rejected the Western call to pump more oil to keep oil prices down.

It was not clear whether President Joe Biden would become one of the world’s leaders in condolences to Abu Dhabi after the death of Sheikh Khalifa. French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive on Sunday.

The MbZ has shifted from hawkish foreign policy and military adventurism, where the UAE is involved in the conflict from Yemen to Libya and focuses on economic priorities. It has seen the UAE engage with the enemy Iran, Turkey, and the Syrian president after many years of hostility.

James Swanston of Capital Economics mentioned the promotion of Gulf countries to diversify their economies in the world’s energy, “MbZ is the UAE’s major financial, logistics and trade hub in the region. Further steps need to be taken to solidify our position. ” Transition from hydrocarbons.