Abu Dhabi’s heir to the throne, Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed al-Nahian, will be the president of the United Arab Emirates in place of his brother, Khalifa, who died yesterday at the age of 73. The Upper Federal Council of the Emirates decided today (Saturday). President Yitzhak Herzog is expected to represent Israel at his funeral, Khalifa bin Zayd, in Abu Dhabi. The trip has not yet been finalized, but if it does, Herzog is expected to meet with Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed during it. The President’s House declined to comment on the issue.
Muhammad bin Zayed, 61, has been Abu Dhabi’s heir since 2004 and deputy commander of the United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces. In recent years, against the background of his brother’s health condition, who suffered a stroke a few years ago, Muhammad bin Zayed was the strong figure in the union and the man who made the decision to normalize ties with Israel and sign the Abrahamic Accords.
