Sheikh Khalifa re-elected UAE President

The UAE Supreme Council has re-elected Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the UAE President for a fourth five-year term in accordance with the constitution, official news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Khalifa was first elected President of the UAE by the Supreme Council of the Union on November 3, 2004, succeeding his late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who passed away on November 2, 2004.

“The Supreme Council of the Union expressed its deep confidence in the wise leadership of President Khalifa,” the report said.

“President Khalifa accompanied the builder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, in the founding phase in the 70s and 80s of the last century before taking over the leadership of the country after the death of the founding leader and led the country towards the achievement stage,” it added.

After Sheikh Khalifa assumed office, the first strategic plan for the government of the UAE was launched under his reign, according to the UAE Cabinet website.

He also launched an initiative for developing legislative authority in order to modify the technique of selecting members of the Federal National Council, combining the process of election and appointment as a first step. This was aimed at providing an opportunity to select members of the Council through direct elections.

Sheikh Khalifa was born in Al Muwaiji Fort in Al Ain in 1948.

Currently, he also serves as the 16th ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.