Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed appointed head of national security

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed has been appointed as head of national security with the rank of minister. Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI // Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed has been appointed as head of national security with the rank of minister.

It follows a federal decree the previous day by President Sheikh Khalifa to appoint Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed as National Security Adviser.

Sheikh Tahnoon will report directly to Sheikh Khalifa, chairman of the Supreme Council for National Security.

The decree went into effect on Sunday and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Dr Albadr Al Shateri, adjunct professor at the National ­Defence College, said Sheikh Tahnoon’s appointment was “another step in the empowerment of a younger generation ­to assume its role in leading the ­development of the UAE”. He said Sheikh Tahnoon had experience in this field because he had served as Deputy National Security Adviser.

His new role means he will oversee the day-to-day functioning of the National Security Council.

“This is a very important position in a heightened regional and international security environment,” said Dr Al Shateri, who is also a researcher with the UAE Armed Forces.

The appointments follows the forming of the Government last week that included several new and young cabinet ministers, including 22-year-old Shamma Al Mazrui as Minister of Youth Affairs.