Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 14: The Supreme Council of the UAE confirmed on Saturday that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be the new president of the country, according to Khaleej Times.
After Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died on May 13 at the age of 73, the 61-year-old leader will become the country’s third president.
Sheikh Mohamed, who has been Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince since November 2004, will be Abu Dhbai’s 17th ruler.
On Saturday, the Federal Supreme Council met to pick the president, who would serve for five years before being eligible for re-election. The new president was chosen from among the Federal Supreme Council members.
Since January 2005, Sheikh Mohamed has also served as the UAE Armed Forces’ Deputy Supreme Commander. He is credited with helping to shape the UAE Armed Forces’ strategic planning, training, organisational structure, and promotion of defence capabilities.
The UAE Armed Forces have evolved as a premier institution admired by worldwide military organisations under his leadership.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected president one day after his father, UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, passed away on November 2, 2004.
Following the death of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE began a 40-day period of mourning on Friday. Beginning Saturday, government and private offices will be closed for three days, with work to resuming on Tuesday, May 17.
