Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father

President, ruler of Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Sheikh Khalifa was named as president by the UAE Federal Council shortly after the death of his father, Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan, in November 2004. The former president, who was 86, had been in poor health.
Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father
Sheikh Khalifa, crown prince of Abu Dhabi since 1969, is said to be a pro-Western moderniser.
Often referred to as the father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed succeeded his brother as ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and, because of his strong leadership and commitment to forming the federation, he was elected as the first president of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
Reelected every five years since 1971, Sheikh Zayed instilled the values of religious tolerance and equality, especially for women, into his policies, which greatly enhanced the stability of the UAE.

Country Profile: United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states formed in 1971 by the then Trucial States after independence from Britain.

Although each state - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain - maintains a large degree of independence, the UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FACTS
Population: 3 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Major language: Arabic
Major religion:Islam
Life expectancy: 73 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Dirham = 100 fils
Main exports: Oil, gas
Annual average income:US $20,340 (World Bank 1997)
Internet domain:.ae
International dialling code: +971