Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

Boris Johnson to travel to UAE as it names Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as new president

Boris Johnson to travel to UAE as it names Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as new president

The prime minister will travel to the Gulf state on Sunday to pay his respects to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, Downing Street has said. Sheikh Mohamed had been serving as the UAE's de facto president since his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa had a stroke in 2014.

The UK's prime minister is heading to the United Arab Emirates to pay his respects after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, as his half-brother was elected the country's new president.

Following a vote by the federal supreme council, the UAE's de facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan will take over from Sheikh Khalifa, who died on Friday aged 73.

Boris Johnson issued a statement yesterday following the announcement of the death of Sheikh Khalifa, who was ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as President of the UAE.

Mr Johnson said: "He was a wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously. Through his work as President and Sheikh he has made a personal contribution to regional stability and conservation which will long be remembered.

"I know that the long and deep ties, which unite our countries, will continue and through our cooperation and friendship, we can ensure peace, prosperity and justice in the world.

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the people of the United Arab Emirates."

Downing Street said the prime minister's visit will also aim to reinforce the close bond between the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.

The UK has deep relations with the UAE, with the UK having protected what was then known as the Trucial States for decades before withdrawing in the early 1970s, and now operates a UK/UAE taskforce, which includes Mr Johnson, that helps the two countries work together on investment, policy, defence, consular and other issues.

Rulers of the nation's seven sheikhdoms, including Dubai, backed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed unanimously in a vote, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

Following the vote, Dubai's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted: "We congratulate him and we pledge allegiance to him, and our people pledge allegiance to him.

"The whole country is led by him to take it on the paths of glory and honour, God willing."

Often referred to as MBZ, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, 61, was named the most powerful Arab leader and one of the most powerful men on Earth by the New York Times in 2019.

He had been serving as the UAE's de facto president since a stroke in 2014 saw his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa disappear from public view.

Under his leadership, the UAE took on a more military-focused approach in the region, joining Saudi Arabia in their years-long war in Yemen.

He also featured in Time Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People of 2019.

Following his brother's death, Sheikh Mohammed said: "The UAE has lost its righteous son and leader of the 'empowerment phase' and guardian of its blessed journey."

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died on Friday aged 73


Sheikh Mohammed established UAE as a global military superpower


The new ruler graduated from Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1979.

He has since gone on to command one of the most high-tech armies in the Gulf region.

Along with its oil wealth and business hub status, Sheikh Mohammed has established the UAE as a global military superpower.

During this time, his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa suffered bouts of illness.

The Al Nahyan family is believed to have a fortune of £150bn.

The UAE is currently observing a three-day mourning period, which will see businesses shut across the country and performances halted in Sheikh Khalifa's honour.

Electronic billboards all showed the late sheikh's image in Dubai last night as flags flew at half-mast.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×