The United Arab Emirates' de facto leader 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 player.
He becomes president at a time when the UAE's long-standing ties with the United States have been strained over perceived US disengagement from its Gulf allies' security concerns and as Western countries seek support from the region to help isolate Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
The council, which groups the rulers of the seven emirates of the UAE federation, elected Sheikh Mohammed, known as MbZ, a day after the death of his half-brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who was also 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 is also UAE vice-president and premier, said in a Twitter post.
MbZ, 61, had already been wielding power for years during which he led a realignment of the Middle East that created a new anti-Iran axis with Israel and invested in the UAE military, which coupled with its oil wealth, extended Emirati influence.
The UAE, a trade and tourism hub, has also deepened ties with Russia and China at a time when Washington's political capital with Abu Dhabi and Riyadh has been eroded by differences over the Yemen war, Iran and US conditions on lucrative arms sales.
"Mohammed bin Zayed has set not only the future course for the UAE but for much of the Gulf in his approach to state building and power projection," said Kristin Diwan, senior resident scholar at Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
"The future direction under him is set and is mirrored in other Gulf leaders adopting state-led and globally-oriented economic diversification and a more assertive foreign policy that looks beyond the Gulf and traditional partners."
The Biden administration has moved to mend ties with oil heavyweights Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both have refused to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rebuffed Western calls to pump more oil to help tame crude prices.
It was not clear if President Joe Biden would be among world leaders heading to Abu Dhabi to offer condolences following Sheikh Khalifa's death. French President Emmanuel Macron is due to arrive on Sunday.
Sheik Mohammed as president would not lead the UAE to break with the United States or other Western partners though he will diversify the Gulf Arab states international partners, Emirati political scientist Abulkhaleq Abdulla told Reuters.
"That is going to be the new thing on the agenda,” he said.
MbZ has shifted away from a hawkish foreign policy and military adventurism, that saw the UAE wade into conflicts from Yemen to Libya, to focus on economic priorities. This has seen the UAE engage with foes Iran and Turkey after years of animosity, as well as Syria's president.
"MbZ will need to take further steps to cement the UAE’s position as the region’s leading financial, logistics, and trading hub," James Swanston of Capital Economics said in a note, referring to a push by Gulf states to diversify economies amid a global energy transition away from hydrocarbons.
Congratulations from Israel
Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid issued congratulations to the new Emirati president.
"Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will continue the ways of his father and brother who established a state based on tolerance and peace," Lapid said in a statement issued in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
"He has demonstrated his leadership in reshaping the face of the Middle East for partnership, peace, and cooperation for the good of future generations. The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with his vision for a better world and brotherhood between our peoples."
He has demonstrated his leadership in reshaping the face of the Middle East for partnership, peace, and cooperation for the good of future generations. The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with his vision for a better world and brotherhood between our peoples.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) May 14, 2022
This was in reference to the UAE's growing partnership with Israel, certified in the historic Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between the two countries. Since then, they have ironed out many trade, scientific and regional cooperation agreements.
Israel's President Isaac Herzog, among many other world leaders, are set to travel to Abu Dhabi Sunday to offer condolences for Sheikh Khalifa's death.