Dubai: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan was re-elected president of the United Arab Emirates for a second five-year term Tuesday, the official news agency WAM
announced.
The Supreme Federal Council, made up of the rulers of the seven emirates in the UAE, selected Sheikh Khalifa, 61.
He first rose to the presidency as oil-rich Abu Dhabi's ruler in 2004 on the death of his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, who founded the Gulf state in 1971.
The council designates both the president and vice president.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, who is also the country's prime minister, defence minister and ruler of Dubai, has served as vice president since 2006.
The UAE, an OPEC member which produces 2.2 million barrels of oil per day, held its first indirect legislative election in 2006 to designate 40 members of the consultative
National Federal Council.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 15:56