UAE President Stable after Stroke

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan has undergone an operation after suffering a stroke and is in a stable condition, the ministry of presidential affairs said Saturday.

Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke on Friday "that led doctors to operate (on) him... He is in a stable condition," the ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM.

He became president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi in November 2004, when he succeeded his late father sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, who founded the federation in 1971.

Abu Dhabi sits on the bulk of the UAE's oil wealth, ranked the world's seventh largest, which makes it the wealthiest of the seven UAE sheikhdoms.

In addition to Abu Dhabi, the UAE comprises the emirates of Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain.

Sheikh Khalifa, who turned 66 on Saturday, was named crown prince of Abu Dhabi on February 1, 1969, at the age of 21.

His brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, is Abu Dhabi's crown prince. He is also the deputy supreme commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Abu Dhabi executive council.