Legal system: federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah have joined the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2
December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since NA 1966) and
Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990),
ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) were elected by the Supreme Council of Rulers
head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) and Deputy Prime
Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) were
appointed by the president
Supreme Council of Rulers: composed of the seven emirate rulers, the
council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE;
establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu
Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto
power; council meets four times a year
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis
Watani Itihad); no elections; reviews legislation, but cannot change
or veto
Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the
president
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI chancery: Suite 600, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 338-6500
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. LITT embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch) telephone: [971] (2) 436691, 436692 FAX: [971] (2) 434771 consulate(s) general: Dubai