The United Arab Emirates’ de facto chief Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan was elected president of the Gulf Arab state by a federal supreme council on Saturday, solidifying his rule over the OPEC oil producer and key regional participant.

The council, which teams the rulers of the seven emirates of the UAE federation, elected Sheikh Mohammed, generally known as MbZ, a day after the dying of his half-brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who was additionally ruler of Abu Dhabi.

“We congratulate him and pledge allegiance to him as do our people…and the entire country will follow his leadership to glory,” Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who can also be UAE vice-president and premier, mentioned in a Twitter publish.

MbZ, 61, had already been wielding energy for years in a interval when Sheikh Khalifa suffered bouts of sickness, together with a stroke in 2014.

He turns into president at a time when the UAE’s long-standing ties with the United States have been visibly strained over perceived U.S. disengagement from its Gulf allies’ safety considerations.

MbZ led a realignment of the Middle East that created a brand new anti-Iran axis with Israel. He additionally bolstered the navy would possibly of the UAE which, coupled with its oil wealth and enterprise hub standing, prolonged Emirati affect within the area and past.