http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...esident%20Dies
Report: UAE president Sheik Zayed dies
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has died, according to Abu Dhabi TV. He was 86.
Sheik Zayed, who has been absolute ruler of the United Arab Emirates for more than 30 years, had been ailing for several years and did not attend Arab summits. He had a kidney transplant in August 2000.
His eldest son, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been heir apparent since his father named him in 1969 crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the capital and richest of the seven emirates.
Abu Dhabi TV interrupted regular broadcasting to break the news of Sheik Zayed's death, but no cause of death was provided. The announcement was followed by an Islamic cleric appearing on TV reading verses from the Quran.
Sheik Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhbai since 1966, was the founding leader of the United Arab Emirates, which he had ruled since the seven emirates forged a union and took independence from Britain in 1971. He has watched over the Emirates' development from a cluster of desert provinces ruled by Arab tribes to a world-leading financial and banking center.