The Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday evening unanimously elected Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as new UAE president following his father's death, the official Emirates news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

A statement issued by the Office of the President said the new president was elected at a meeting of the Supreme Council, which is made up of the heads of UAE's seven emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Um al-Qaiwain.

In accordance with Article 51 of the UAE Constitution, the council, at its meeting at Bateen Palace, Abu Dhabi in the evening, decided to elect Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the President of the United Arab Emirates to succeed the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who died a day earlier, said the statement.

The council members emphasized their keen desire to be loyal to the principles of leadership and the values of justice and right laid down by late Sheikh Zayed, according to the statement.

It added that the council expressed its full confidence that the people of the UAE will continue to be the guardians of the UAE federation and of its achievements at all levels.

Sheikh Khalifa expressed his appreciation for the trust and confidence shown in him by his colleagues and brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates, WAM said.

He stressed that he was determined to adhere to the guidelines laid down by the founder of the UAE federation, cooperate and coordinate with his colleagues and the members of the Supreme Council, as well as continuing to foster the progress of the federation and of all that will contribute to its stability, prosperity and the welfare of its people, said the statement.

Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa is the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan who was founding father and head of state of the seven-member UAE federation since its formation in 1971.

Following the establishment of the UAE on Dec. 2, 1971, with his father at the helm, Sheikh Khalifa became deputy prime minister of the federal state.

In May 1976, he was named deputy commander of the UAE armed forces. At same time, he heads the Supreme Petroleum Council which enjoys wide powers in energy matters.