Biden congratulates Sheikh Mohamed on being elected UAE president

US President Joe Biden congratulated the UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on being elected Saturday as the country's president following his brother's death.

"I congratulate my long-time friend Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the United Arab Emirates," Biden said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to working with the leader "to further strengthen the bonds between our countries and peoples."

The UAE's Federal Supreme Council on Saturday unanimously elected His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the United Arab Emirates.

The Council held a meeting on Saturday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman; His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain; and His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said that according to Article 51 of the Constitution, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was unanimously elected as the President of the UAE to succeed the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.