A federal supreme council elected Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates, as the president of the Gulf Arab states. This confirmed his control over the OPEC oil producer.

This council is composed of seven rulers from the UAE Federation. It elected Sheikh Mohammed (also known as MbZ) one day after his half-brother President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed died.

In a tweet, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (Dubai ruler) said that “we congratulated him” and pledged allegiance as do our citizens…and that the whole country would follow his leadership to glory.

MbZ (61), had been in power since years during a time when Sheikh Khalifa was ill, and even suffered a stroke.

His election as president comes at a crucial time in UAE’s history when its long-standing relations with the United States has been visibly frayed by US concerns about security and disengagement from Gulf ally countries.

MbZ oversaw a realignment within the Middle East which established an anti-Iran axis between Israel and Iran. MbZ also increased the UAE’s military power, which was complemented by its oil wealth, business hub status and other advantages, allowing Emiratis to expand their influence throughout the Middle East and beyond.