World leaders pay respects in UAE after dying of pro-West president By Reuters

DUBAI (Reuters) -World leaders descended on the United Arab Emirates on Sunday to supply condolences to new chief Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on the dying of his half-brother President Khalifa bin Zayed in a present of assist to a key regional participant.

Sheikh Mohammed, now ruler of rich Abu Dhabi emirate, steered the Western-allied Gulf state, an OPEC oil producer and regional enterprise hub, for years earlier than being named the UAE’s third president by a federal supreme council on Saturday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, whose nation holds profitable enterprise and navy ties with the UAE, instructed Sheikh Mohammed in Abu Dhabi that the UAE may “depend on France’s friendship” and mentioned the Ukraine battle, the Elysee stated.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated earlier than heading to the Emirati capital that the institution of ties between the UAE and Israel two years in the past was an asset for the entire area constructed by “daring and groundbreaking leaders”, together with Khalifa.

The UAE, together with Bahrain, upended many years of Arab consensus by forging relations with Israel, creating a brand new anti-Iran axis within the area and drawing Palestinian ire.

The Palestinian president was additionally due in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as was Britain’s prime minister.

U.S. President Joe Biden, whose administration has had fraught ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, can be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris, because of go to on Monday.

A number of Arab leaders paid respects on Saturday. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, whose father King Salman entered hospital every week in the past, despatched a delegation.

Sheikh Mohammed, generally known as MbZ, has been a driving power in Center East politics, championing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman within the West as he rose to energy and combating political Islam, seen as a menace to Gulf dynastic rule, across the area.

MbZ deepened ties with Russia and China as Gulf states more and more questioned the regional dedication of conventional safety guarantor america. Strains in U.S.-Emirati ties have been highlighted by the Ukraine battle as Gulf states refused to aspect with Western allies in isolating Russia.

After years of enmity Abu Dhabi has additionally moved to interact with Iran and Turkey because the UAE doubles down on financial progress amid rising regional competitors and a world push away from hydrocarbons, the lifeblood of Gulf economies.