Posted on 01/04/2006 12:00:32 AM PST by HAL9000
The ruler of emirate of Dubai, also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died on Wednesday in Australia. Maktoum, 60, had reportedly suffered from heart problems."The UAE has today lost a historical leader who dedicated his life to building the nation and doing good for its people," an official statement read.
His brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is currently the Defense Minister of the UAE, will replace the former leader as ruler of Dubai, while UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan will appoint a new premier and vice president.
Sheikh Maktoum was known for his low profile, and for allowing his brother to run many of Dubai's daily affairs, according to WAM. He was also well known for being co-owner of Dubai's Godolphin stables, renowned for its horse racing.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is known for his entrepreneurial skills.
40 days of mourning were declared in Dubai, while its main stock market halted trading after the news. All government institutions will also reportedly remain closed for a period of one week.
Where do I sign up to take his place?
WoW!
I didn't do it.
UAE Prime Minister dies on Gold Coast
A senior Middle Eastern leader has died on Queensland's Gold Coast.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the prime minister and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and also the emir of Dubai.
It is believed he died at a luxury hotel this afternoon.
Jim Carden from the Brisbane Airport Corporation says a special Emirates jumbo jet is on stand-by to fly the sheikh's body home.
"The plane belonging to his highness and the royal party is currently being refuelled in preparation for the transportation of his highnesses body back to Dubai in order to observe the customary burial," he said.
Dubai is actually quite a nice sub-Country. While not a Democracy, it's very capitalist and has a secular and open society.
I wish them well.
:O)
P
I wonder if some Islamofascist nut is going to take this place over like the nitwit in Iran.
It's a start, I suppose.
Emir of Dubai dies
The emir of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum Rashid al-Maktoum, has died, the Emirates Information Ministry said.
The emir, who was a vice president of the United Arab Emirates and prime minister of Dubai, died while visiting Australia, an Emirates official said.
"The United Arab Emirates today lost a historical leader who devoted his life to establishing the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its structure and the welfare of its people," the government said in a statement.
Oh well, there go our hopes of holding him hostage...
Sheikh Mohammed takes over as ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, the defence minister of the United Arab Emirates, took over as ruler of Dubai following the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashed al-Maktoum on Wednesday, officials said.
Sheikh Maktoum died in Australia at the age of 62 and the accession process, with the handover to Dubai's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed, was automatic, officials said.
Doesn't sound like things will change much since it seems his brother was kind of running things anyway.
And the younger brother appears to be more capitalist/western/open/secular, as well... So it wasn't like the new ruler was pushing for more fascist approaches while his older brother was holding him back...
I'd expect this to either mean essentially no change or a very slight acceleration in the rate at which Dubai has been modernizing....
several years ago National Geographic had a profile on this guy. He was apparently a HUGE camera nut... He owned several models of EVERY camera produced since 1925. Nikon and Canon actually sent him several hundred test models because he bought so often.
Believe that he was in Australia buying horses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.