'We are here for you': video shows rulers offering support to President Sheikh Mohamed

Leaders tell the President that the country and people are in safe hands under his stewardship

From left: Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, attend a Federal Supreme Council meeting at Mushrif Palace. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Dr Sultan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, during the meeting.

The Federal Supreme Council, which comprises the rulers of each emirate, announced the election of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as President of the UAE.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Abdullah Al Ketbi, Minister of Federal Supreme Council Affairs, attend the meeting.

Sheikh Humaid and Sheikh Saud attend the meeting.

Sheikh Humaid and Sheikh Saud attend the meeting.

Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Saud follow proceedings.

The meeting at Mushrif Palace was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

The UAE's rulers offer their support to the President, Sheikh Mohamed, after the death of Sheikh Khalifa in a new video published on Tuesday by state news agency Wam.

The video, of the Federal Supreme Council meeting on Saturday, shows the rulers offering their condolences and also congratulating Sheikh Mohamed after electing him as President.

“Your Highnesses,” Sheikh Mohamed says in the video. “You are all here to pay your condolences. But I should be the one to pay condolences to you on the passing of our brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. This is a natural part of life.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, then says he and the other Rulers are there to pay “sincere condolences to you and ourselves”.

“We also came to congratulate you and ourselves on your leadership as President of our country,” Sheikh Mohammed says. “We are all here to support you in any way we can.”

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said Sheikh Mohamed was well known to them.

“You are the son of the founder, Sheikh Zayed, and the brother of the late leader who continued Sheikh Zayed's legacy,” said Sheikh Dr Sultan.

“You are no stranger to us.

“We accompanied you in leading us during these challenging times … and you exceeded all expectations. We are all by your side in continuing the legacy of the Union.

“We hereby elect you to be our President and leader … the UAE and its people are in safe hands under your stewardship and our country is in a strong position.”

Sheikh Mohamed responds by telling the Rulers: “I am, and always will be, your brother, Mohamed”.

The leaders then all shake hands.

The video was released on the same day Sheikh Mohamed paid a moving tribute to Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Mohamed, who was elected President on Saturday, said the country's late President would be deeply missed.

On social media on Tuesday, Sheikh Mohamed said the legacy of Sheikh Khalifa would live on.

“With his enduring wisdom and generosity, my brother, Khalifa bin Zayed, was the heart of our family and the guardian of our nation,” Sheikh Mohamed said.

“He was loved greatly and will be deeply missed, but his remarkable legacy will live on forever. May God grant him eternal peace.”

Sheikh Mohamed also shared images of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, and himself alongside Sheikh Khalifa.

World leaders and dignitaries have travelled to Abu Dhabi over the past few days to offer condolences and support.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by a senior delegation, visited the UAE to pay their respects.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Britain's Prince William, US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken were among those to offer their condolences.

UAE embassies around the world offer condolences — in pictures