News

Sheikh Mohamed gets congratulatory messages from world

Published

4 years ago

May 16, 2022

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

Main image of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Credit: Tamim Hayyal Abazid/ Shutterstock.com

Headline staff

Leaders from around the world have sent their congratulatory messages to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on taking over the presidency mantle in the UAE. The change in leadership follows the death of the predecessor Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who led the UAE through an era of change since 2004.

Sheikh Mohamed has been the de factor leader for quite some time now after Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke in 2014, and most of the leaders have interacted with Sheikh Mohamed in recent years.

With the relations taking a formal note, the leaders have sent their wishes while French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Abu Dhabi to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed in person while also bidding farewell to Sheikh Khalifa.

Leaders from the nearby countries have also reached Abu Dhabi and the perfect statesman Sheikh Mohamed has been personally meeting them at the Presidential Airport wherever possible.

Among the leaders who have arrived are:

Sultan Haitham of Oman
Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt
King Abdullah II of Jordan
Barham Salih, President of Iraq, and Mustafa Al Kadhimi, Prime Minister of Iraq
Najib Mikati, Prime Minister of Lebanon
Kais Saied, President of Tunisia
Aymen Benabderrahmane, Prime Minister of Algeria
General Abdel Fattal Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan
Mansour Azzam, Representative of the President of Syria

World hails MBZ

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent in his congratulations along with his father, King Salman, who had a colonoscopy operation last week and is recuperating.

Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defence also called on Sunday to wish the President good luck and hoped for further progress under his leadership.

Others to express their messages through social media or those shared by state news agency WAM are:
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“I am confident that under his dynamic and visionary leadership, our Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will continue to deepen.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping
“We are ready to work with the new president to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples”.

The UK’s Queen Elizabeth II
“While it is under sorrowful circumstances, I offer my sincere and warmest congratulations on your appointment as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. I look forward to the continuation of the strong and historic bonds between our two countries and peoples.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
“Warmest congratulations to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, a close friend of Greece, on his election as President of the UAE. I wish him from my heart every success in his new high duties, for the benefit of his country, his people and the region.”

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi
“Pakistan values its fraternal relations with the UAE. I hope under his leadership fraternal relations between the two countries will be further strengthened.”

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari
“Your predecessor made a mark in the impressive transformation of the UAE, making it a vast business and tourist attraction, building infrastructure and creating one of the best living standards in the world. I’m confident that you are going to build on this great legacy. Nigeria looks forward to greater co-operation with the UAE which has tremendously helped Nigeria.”

Italian President Sergio Mattarella
“On the occasion of your election to the Presidency of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates, I would like to convey to you, on my own behalf and on behalf of the entire Italian people, my warmest congratulations and my best wishes for your success in carrying out the high office entrusted to you. The articulate partnership between our countries is based on ancient ties, which I am sure we will continue to deepen, guided also by our common interest in peace, stability and progress in the region.”

Related Topics:#UAE #US Featured France Narendra Modi President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Staff Reporter

News

Salik’s next move: Smart parking coming to Dubai Silicon Oasis, DAFZ and Dubai CommerCity

Published

7 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Salik is taking another step beyond toll collection, announcing plans to introduce smart parking and vehicle access systems across three of Dubai’s major economic zones.

Under a new agreement with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), the company will explore parking optimisation and access control solutions covering more than 21,000 parking spaces at Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.

The proposed systems are designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, prevent misuse of parking spaces and make it easier for businesses, employees and visitors to move around the free zones.

The partnership marks the launch of a new business vertical for Salik as it continues expanding beyond its traditional road toll operations into wider mobility and digital transport services.

What will change?

The companies plan to integrate their technology platforms to create a connected parking and vehicle access system across the three zones.

Planned features include:

Smart parking management
Automated vehicle access control
Improved traffic flow within free zones
Better use of available parking spaces
Unified operating standards across all three locations

Which areas are covered?

The project will span:

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai CommerCity

Together, the three locations offer more than 21,000 parking spaces serving businesses, residents, investors and visitors.

No timeline has yet been announced for when the new systems will be rolled out.

News

New UAE rule: Emirates ID renewal now allowed one year before expiry

Published

7 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

The UAE has doubled the early renewal period for Emirates ID cards, allowing renewals up to 12 months before expiry under a new decision by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Effective July 14, the change applies to UAE nationals for now.

Renew passport and Emirates ID together

The extended renewal window means citizens whose passport and Emirates ID expire around the same time can now renew both documents in a single transaction, reducing paperwork and saving time.

ICP said the initiative forms part of its strategy to simplify government services, improve customer experience and provide greater flexibility through digital services.

Supporting zero government bureaucracy

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, said the decision reflects the UAE’s commitment to delivering proactive government services while giving citizens more flexibility to complete transactions at a time that suits them.

He added that the initiative supports the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by reducing procedural steps, improving service integration and using advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline the customer journey.

The authority said the new policy is part of its wider effort to deliver integrated, digital-first government services while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global leader in identity and public service innovation.

News

Dubai warns media against publishing false news after Downtown explosion claim

Published

8 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Dubai authorities have warned media organisations against publishing false or unverified reports after claims circulated that explosions had been heard in Downtown Dubai.

In a statement posted on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) said the emirate would take the necessary legal measures against outlets that publish inaccurate information, in line with local and federal laws.

The warning came after a brief Reuters report cited witnesses claiming they had heard booms in Downtown Dubai on Thursday. The report did not identify the source of the sounds or confirm that any incident had taken place.

The Dubai Media Office rejected the claims, stating that no explosions had occurred in the Downtown area and describing the report as false.

Authorities also urged media organisations and the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid sharing rumours or unverified reports that could cause unnecessary confusion.

The statement reinforces Dubai’s long-standing approach to combating misinformation, particularly during fast-moving events, with authorities stressing the importance of accurate reporting and verification before publication.