Umm al Qaiwain Crown Prince named

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain, names a son, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, as Crown Prince.

UMM AL QAIWAIN // Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain, yesterday named a son, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, as Crown Prince. The decree was issued 11 days after the death of Sheikh Saud's father, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu'alla, who had ruled Umm al Qaiwain since Feb 1981. Sheikh Saud, who is 56 and has 10 sons, is the 11th Al Mu'alla ruler of Umm al Qaiwain since the mid-18th century.

Sheikh Saud received his primary and elementary education in Umm al Qaiwain before attending secondary school in Lebanon. He then undertook studies at Cairo University, graduating with a degree in economics in 1974. He was named Crown Prince in 1982. As Crown Prince, Sheikh Saud initiated expansions of the Government, including a number of new departments. He served in the Foreign Ministry and was seconded at the Umm al Qaiwain Emiri Court.

Sheikh Saud also accompanied his father to meetings of the Supreme Council, acting as his deputy on a number of occasions. He became Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain on Jan 2 after his father died in London, aged 76. Sheikh Saud is married to the daughter of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed, Ruler of Ras al Khaimah, who yesterday sent him a congratulatory message on the appointment of Sheikh Rashid as Crown Prince, according to WAM.