International leaders have delivered messages of congratulations to President Sheikh Mohamed after he named Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed as Vice President and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening.
The decision will mean Sheikh Mansour will serve alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
In his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed named Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed as Deputy Rulers of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar, said he hoped the decisions will provide a “strong impetus for the country's development”, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed offered his thanks to Sheikh Tamim and called for the continued progress and development of Qatar.
Sheikh Tamim recently hosted Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Tahnoun in Doha.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman expressed "heartfelt congratulations" and wished for the success of the President and "further progress and prosperity for the UAE", the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The monarch stressed the deep brotherly relations between the Gulf neighbours.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar message.
Sheikh Mohamed received a cable from Bahrain's King Hamad who wished the UAE continued progress and prosperity.
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, sent his good wishes.
Sultan Haitham of Oman congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on the appointments he has made in the UAE and Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohamed received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who congratulated him.
The UAE President also received calls from Abdul Fattah El Sisi, Egypt's President and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif backed the appointments in messages shared on social media.
“Heartfelt felicitations from the people and the government of Pakistan on the appointment of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Vice President of the UAE,” Mr Sharif wrote on Twitter.
“May this new chapter be filled with success and prosperity for the UAE and its people.
“Congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his appointment as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
“As a brotherly country, we look forward to continuing our strong partnership and working together towards a brighter future for our people and the region.”
Sheikh Mohamed makes key appointments — in pictures
