President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahayan passed away at the age of 86 on Tuesday, the Abu-Dhabi TV channel reported.  

"The royal court announces to Arab and Islamic countries and the rest of the world the death of the leader of the nation Sheikh Zayed ... on Tuesday evening," said an announcement read out on the television.

The royal court extended heartfelt condolences to the UAE people, Arab and Islamic countries and the rest of the world, the official WAM news agency reported.

Sheikh Zayed was born in 1918. He served as governor of east province of Abu Dhabi Emir from 1946 to 1966.

In 1966, he deposed his brother Sheikh Shakh and succeeded ruler of Abu Dhabi.

In 1971, he was elected president of the UAE, and reelected in 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 2001.

He had a kidney transplant in 2000.

Under the UAE Constitution, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al-maktoum, ruler of Dubai, will act as president until the federal council which groups rulers of the seven emirates meets within 30 days to elect a new president.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2004)