ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates Wednesday elected Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed as president, succeeding his late father, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan.
The appointment was announced by Abu Dhabi's official television a few hours after the former ruler's funeral in Abu Dhabi, which was attended by Arab heads of state and other international dignitaries.
Sheik Khalifa was crown prince of Abu Dhabi and has been its acting ruler since his father's health began deteriorating.
The Supreme Council comprises the ruling members of each of the seven emirates making up the UAE.
The oil-rich UAE is made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quaiwan, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah.
