UAE Celebrates 40th Birthday

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Friday celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment with parades, musical shows and ceremonies across the seven-member federation.

The president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi, the richest member, vowed in a speech to widen the participation of "citizens in public affairs."

The southern Gulf nation, which in September held limited polls to elect half the members of its toothless Federal National Council, does not face strong calls for political change.

It provides cradle-to-grave care to its nationals who represent just over 10 percent of the expat-dominated society.

The UAE was founded on December 2, 1971 as a federation between Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Um al-Qaiwain after the withdrawal of British troops from the region.

Ras al-Khaimah joined in 1972.