<text id=94CT1471><title>United Arab Emirates—Government</title>
<article><source>CIA Factbook</source>
<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: United Arab Emirates<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> United Arab Emirates
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> none
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Al Imarata al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> none
<item>• <hi format=ital>former:</hi> Trucial States
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Abbreviation:</hi> UAE
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> TC
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member emirates
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Abu Dhabi
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 7 emirates (imarat, singular—imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 2 December 1971 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> National Day, 2 December (1971)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 2 December 1971 (provisional)
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and in several member emirates; Islamic law remains influential
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan, (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Dhabi; Vice President Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Shaykh MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy; Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid Al NUHAYYAN (since 20 November 1990)
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Supreme Council of Rulers:</hi> composed of the seven emirate rulers, the council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu Dhabi and Dubayy rulers have veto power; council meets four times a year
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Legislative branch:</hi> unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad); no elections
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> Union Supreme Court
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> NA