New UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed named after brother dies
- Known by the acronym MbZ, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, which commands tens of billions of dollars from its oil and gas deposits
- He becomes leader as the UAE’s ties with the US are strained over perceived US disengagement from its Gulf allies’ security concerns, and amid Ukraine conflict
The United Arab Emirates’ de facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan was elected president of the Gulf Arab state by a federal supreme council on Saturday, solidifying his rule over the OPEC oil producer and key regional player.
He becomes president at a time when the UAE’s long-standing ties with the United States have been strained over perceived US disengagement from its Gulf allies’ security concerns and as Western countries seek support from the region to help isolate Russia over Ukraine conflict.
The council, which groups the rulers of the seven emirates of the UAE federation, elected Sheikh Mohammed, known as MbZ, a day after the death of his half-brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who was also ruler of Abu Dhabi.
“We congratulate him and pledge allegiance to him as do our people … and the entire country will follow his leadership to glory,” Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is also UAE vice-president and premier, said in a Twitter post.
MbZ, 61, had already been wielding power for years during which he led a realignment of the Middle East that created a new anti-Iran axis with Israel and invested in the UAE military, which coupled with its oil wealth, extended Emirati influence.
The UAE, a trade and tourism hub, has also deepened ties with Russia and China at a time when Washington’s political capital with Abu Dhabi and Riyadh has been eroded by differences over the Yemen war, Iran and US conditions on lucrative arms sales.