London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Sep 15, 2025

Boris Johnson to travel to UAE as it names Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as new president

Boris Johnson to travel to UAE as it names Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as new president

The prime minister will travel to the Gulf state on Sunday to pay his respects to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, Downing Street has said. Sheikh Mohamed had been serving as the UAE's de facto president since his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa had a stroke in 2014.

The UK's prime minister is heading to the United Arab Emirates to pay his respects after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, as his half-brother was elected the country's new president.

Following a vote by the federal supreme council, the UAE's de facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan will take over from Sheikh Khalifa, who died on Friday aged 73.

Boris Johnson issued a statement yesterday following the announcement of the death of Sheikh Khalifa, who was ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as President of the UAE.

Mr Johnson said: "He was a wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously. Through his work as President and Sheikh he has made a personal contribution to regional stability and conservation which will long be remembered.

"I know that the long and deep ties, which unite our countries, will continue and through our cooperation and friendship, we can ensure peace, prosperity and justice in the world.

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the people of the United Arab Emirates."

Downing Street said the prime minister's visit will also aim to reinforce the close bond between the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.

The UK has deep relations with the UAE, with the UK having protected what was then known as the Trucial States for decades before withdrawing in the early 1970s, and now operates a UK/UAE taskforce, which includes Mr Johnson, that helps the two countries work together on investment, policy, defence, consular and other issues.

Rulers of the nation's seven sheikhdoms, including Dubai, backed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed unanimously in a vote, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

Following the vote, Dubai's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted: "We congratulate him and we pledge allegiance to him, and our people pledge allegiance to him.

"The whole country is led by him to take it on the paths of glory and honour, God willing."

Often referred to as MBZ, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, 61, was named the most powerful Arab leader and one of the most powerful men on Earth by the New York Times in 2019.

He had been serving as the UAE's de facto president since a stroke in 2014 saw his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa disappear from public view.

Under his leadership, the UAE took on a more military-focused approach in the region, joining Saudi Arabia in their years-long war in Yemen.

He also featured in Time Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People of 2019.

Following his brother's death, Sheikh Mohammed said: "The UAE has lost its righteous son and leader of the 'empowerment phase' and guardian of its blessed journey."

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died on Friday aged 73


Sheikh Mohammed established UAE as a global military superpower


The new ruler graduated from Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1979.

He has since gone on to command one of the most high-tech armies in the Gulf region.

Along with its oil wealth and business hub status, Sheikh Mohammed has established the UAE as a global military superpower.

During this time, his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa suffered bouts of illness.

The Al Nahyan family is believed to have a fortune of £150bn.

The UAE is currently observing a three-day mourning period, which will see businesses shut across the country and performances halted in Sheikh Khalifa's honour.

Electronic billboards all showed the late sheikh's image in Dubai last night as flags flew at half-mast.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
×