This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi's al-Bateen Airport on Nov 24, 2022 awaiting the arrival of the visiting King of Jordan. (PHOTO / UAE'S MINISTRY OF PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS / AFP)
DUBAI – United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has appointed his eldest son Sheikh Khaled as crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich capital of the Gulf state, and named his brothers to top roles, state media said on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohammed, who became president and Abu Dhabi ruler last year after running the US-allied OPEC oil producer for years, named his brother Sheikh Mansour as UAE vice-president, alongside Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed appointed his other brothers Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security adviser who controls a sprawling business empire, and Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan as deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi
This appeared to further centralize power in Abu Dhabi, which is the political capital by virtue of its immense oil wealth, of the UAE federation of seven emirates. Dubai is the Gulf's business and tourism hub.
Sheikh Mohammed appointed his other brothers Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security adviser who controls a sprawling business empire, and Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan as deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.
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By appointing prominent brothers to new roles, he kept "some power-sharing balance, but only within (Abu Dhabi's) Al Nahyan clan," Cinzia Bianco, research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said on Twitter.
The choice of Sheikh Khaled as crown prince reflects a trend across most Gulf Arab monarchies towards direct lineage – sons over brothers – for succession, including in Saudi Arabia.
Abu Dhabi has held the presidency since the founding of the UAE federation by Sheikh Mohammed's father in 1971.
Sheikh Mohammed, known as MbZ, had been grooming his son in positions of authority in security – including intelligence – economy and governance, analysts say.
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MbZ was de facto ruler for years before assuming power following the death of his brother last May, at a time when the UAE's longstanding ties with the United States were strained over perceived US disengagement from the region.
He led a realignment of the Middle East when the UAE, with Bahrain, forged ties with Israel in 2020 to create a new anti-Iran axis in the region, while still engaging with Tehran to contain tensions with an eye on economic priorities.
The UAE has also deepened ties with Russia.