The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, appointed his eldest son, Sheikh Khaled, as the heir to the throne of Abu Dhabi, and his brothers to the highest positions in the country, state media reported.
Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who became the president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi last year, appointed his brother Sheikh Mansour as vice president of the country, and the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, also performs this function, Reuters reports.
Two other brothers, Tahnun bin Zayed al Nahyan and Haza bin Zayed al Nahyan, were appointed by the UAE president as deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi. Tahnun bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the National Security Advisor of the UAE and controls a large business empire.
The UAE leader's moves, according to Reuters, are likely to further centralize power in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the seven-emirate federation, known for its vast oil wealth. Dubai is the business and tourist center of the Persian Gulf.
The UAE, a country of less than 10 million people, prides itself on its political and economic stability, has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, and the majority of its workforce is made up of millions of foreign workers.
Bonus video:
