ABU DHABI: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s longtime de facto ruler, was chosen president on Saturday, according to state media, a day after the death of previous leader Sheikh Khalifa. President Ram Nath Kovind expressed sorrow at the loss of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Â
“Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, has died. His contribution to our bilateral relations and the welfare of the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates will never be forgotten. I send my sympathies to His Highness’ family, the UAE government, and the UAE people during this difficult moment,” he said in a tweet. India has designated May 14 as a National Day of Mourning in honour of the late Sheikh Khalifa.Â
On the day of mourning, the national flag will be displayed at half-staff in all buildings where it is normally displayed, and there will be no official entertainment on that day, according to an official notice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamented the loss of Sheikh Khalifa.Â
According to WAM, Sheikh Mohamed was chosen by the Federal Supreme Council, becoming the leader of the oil-rich nation created by his father in 1971.
Sheikh Mohamed, also known as ‘MBZ,’ met with members of the Federal Supreme Council, comprised of the seven emirate rulers. The oil-rich nation began a period of mourning for his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa.Â
His ascent, which was widely anticipated, formalizes his status as leader of the 10-million-person desert state while Sheikh Khalifa recovers from illness.
Under his low-key leadership, the United Arab Emirates has sent a man into space, sent a spacecraft to Mars, and inaugurated its first nuclear reactor, all while developing a more muscular foreign policy supported by oil revenues.
Since the retreat of conventional powers and the diminished engagement of the United States, it has emerged as a leader of a reconfigured Middle East, strengthening connections with Israel and entering a fight against Iran-backed terrorists in Yemen.
