DUBAI, (Reuters) – World leaders began to descend on the United Arab Emirates Sunday in an effort to condolee President Khalifa bin Zayed a-Nahyan’s death. His half-brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was elected de facto leader.

The ruler of Abu Dhabi’s wealthy emirate Sheikh Mohammed was responsible for leading the Western-allied Gulf State, an OPEC oil exporter and regional business center, for many years until being elected by a federal supreme Council as the UAE’s third president.

The embassy stated that Emmanuel Macron from France, a country with lucrative military and business ties to the UAE was in Abu Dhabi for the visit.

On Sunday, the president of Israel and the prime minister of Britain, both from whom the UAE established ties in the Middle East two years ago, were due.

The U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has been plagued by tensions with Saudi Arabian and UAE governments. Vice President Kamila Harris will represent the United States.

On Saturday, several Arab leaders including the king of Jordan and president of Egypt came to offer their respects. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince sent a delegation, his father King Salman having entered the hospital last week.

MbZ is Sheikh Mohammed. He has been an important force in Middle East politics.

MbZ strengthened ties with Russia, China and other countries as Gulf states became more skeptical of the United States’ traditional security guarantee. The Russia-Ukraine Conflict highlighted the problems in U.S. – Emirati ties as Gulf states refused support Western allies by isolating Moscow.

Abu Dhabi is now open to engaging with Turkey and Iran after years of animosity. The UAE has doubled down on its economic growth in the face of rising regional competition.