The oil-rich United Arab Emirates announced Thursday that the Gulf state is to hold elections for half of its consultative National Council as part of a reform drive.

President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan made the announcement in an address marking the national day of the seven- emirates federation.

In light of the changes and reforms our region is witnessing, " we have decided to boost the role of the consultative council by electing half of its members through the councils in each emirate, " Sheikh Khalifa told the nation.

"The remaining half of the council's members will be nominated, " he added, quoted by the WAM news agency.

Source: Xinhua