The rulers of the United Arab Emirates announced on Saturday that they have unanimously appointed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the country's president, AP reports.

State news agency WAM reported that the rulers of the country's seven sheikhs made the decision at a meeting at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away at the age of 73. This is the third time the UAE has elected a president since independence in 1971.