United Arab Emirates president dead at 86

United Arab Emirates president dead at 86
Leader helped transform nation into a leading hub for oil, business

Associated Press

The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's richest countries, is composed of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. It has a combined population of more than 3.4 million, about 75 percent of whom are expatriate laborers and executives. Here are some facts and figures about each emirate:


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.

In the meantime, the prime minister — Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a close relative of Sheik Zayed — will serve as acting president....cont'd

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/world/2880568

And then they'll shut off the oil spigots.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=952778

Happened yesterday morning