New UAE leader accepts condolences for late sheikh

The new president of the United Arab Emirates on Saturday greeted officials offering condolences for the death of his predecessor and half brother.

Video footage released by the Emirati government showed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan speaking with national leaders in Abu Dhabi.

They included Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, as well as the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.

Rulers in the United Arab Emirates announced Saturday they had unanimously appointed Sheikh Mohamed as the new president of the hereditarily ruled Arabian Peninsula nation.

The state-run WAM news agency said the rulers of the country's seven sheikhdoms made the decision at a meeting held in Al-Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

It comes after the previous leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died on Friday aged 73.

The transition of power marks only the third time this U.S.-allied nation of seven sheikhdoms has selected a president since becoming an independent nation in 1971.

Image: AP