Gargash leaves UAE Foreign Ministry for new role after Cabinet reshuffle

Dr Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh awarded for their service and appointed special advisers to the President

Zaki Nusseibeh is thanked for his service by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. All photos courtesy of UAE Government

Dr Anwar Gargash is thanked for his service in the foreign ministry. He takes up a new role advising the President, Sheikh Khalifa, on diplomatic affairs

Sheikh Mohammed described the changes as a 'mini reshuffle' of the UAE Cabinet. Pictured is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai

There was a ceremonial presentation of the Order of the Union to Dr Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh

There was a ceremonial presentation of the Order of the Union to Dr Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh

Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, formerly Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will take on a senior ministerial role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Khalifa Al Marar, who was previously assistant minister of political affairs, was given a ministerial position

Members of the Cabinet were present for the ceremony

Related: Who are Sheikh Shakhbout and Khalifa Al Marar?

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation shuffled some of its senior figures, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash departing to take on a new role.

Dr Gargash steps down as the second most senior foreign affairs official, to become diplomatic adviser to the President, Sheikh Khalifa.

In other changes, Zaki Nusseibeh will become cultural adviser to the President.

The announcements were made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Sheikh Mohammed ordered a "mini reshuffle" of the Cabinet on Wednesday, and Dr Gargash and Mr Nusseibeh were awarded in recognition of their great service so far.

Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, the former UAE ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will take up the post of Minister of State, alongside Khalifa Al Marar, who was an assistant minister of political affairs.

Mr Al Marar has served in diplomatic roles in Japan, Syria, Iran, Armenia, Turkey and the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

"It was a great pleasure for Mohammed bin Rashid and I to present Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh with the Order of the Union, in appreciation of their diplomatic and cultural contributions over many years," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.

"The UAE holds in high esteem its loyal sons. Long may your success continue."

Sheikh Mohammed thanked the two ministers, who he called "important pioneers of the Emirati political work ... who were able to bring about major transformations in our foreign political work and our international and regional relations".