UAE president Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 86
Posted: Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004 3:58 amDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The president of the United Arab Emirates, who oversaw the transformation of a cluster of tiny desert Persian Gulf sheikdoms into a leading oil and business hub with skyscrapers and sprawling shopping malls, has died. He was 86.
Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, one of the richest rulers in the world according to Forbes magazine, forged close ties with the United States and the West during his rule of the country, which is the world’s ninth-largest oil producer.
Sheik Zayed was expected to be succeeded by his eldest son, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders of the seven emirates that make up the country will appoint the new president within 30 days. … Read full obituary
