The Hindu : International : A ruler who transformed the emirates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004

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International

A ruler who transformed the emirates

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, NOV. 2. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, has died. Sheikh Zayed, 86, who ruled the UAE for 30 years steered his country from being a cluster of desert provinces to a leading international trade, finance and banking centre.

He had been ailing for several years and had a kidney transplant in August 2000. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, has been the heir apparent since his father named him crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the seven emirates, in 1969.

Sheikh Zayed ruled Abu Dhabi from 1966 and became the President in 1971 after the UAE became independent of British rule with the union of the seven emirates.

Under the UAE Constitution, the Vice-President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, will act as the President until the Federal Council, comprising the rulers of the seven emirates, convenes within 30 days to elect a new President.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, will automatically take over as ruler of the capital, and is likely to become the next President.

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