President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi attend a Federal Supreme Council meeting at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 14, 2022. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Presidential Affairs/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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 U.S. disengagement from its Gulf allies' security concerns and as Western countries seek support from the region to help isolate Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
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