阿联酋总统扎耶德因病逝世后，其长子哈里发顺理成章的继任父亲之位，成为阿联酋新总统。外电报道如下：Sheikh Zayed bin¹ Sultan al-Nahyan's eldest² son has succeeded him as president of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Khalifa was chosen by leading officials from the seven emirates shortly after his father's funeral.

Arab leaders and dignitaries from around the world assembled in Abu Dhabi for a procession and private prayers.

Emirate表示“酋长国；阿拉伯酋长（贵族、王公）之职位或阶级”。阿拉伯联合酋长国是由7个酋长国（阿布扎比、迪拜、沙迦、阿治曼、哈伊马角、乌姆盖万和富查伊拉）组成的松散的联邦国家，各酋长国经济基本独立，各自执行自己的经济发展计划，有自己的海关系统，工商会和民航管理当局等。