UAE | Government

Festive mood pervades at inauguration

The 14th Chapter of the Federal National Council, the unicameral parliament of the UAE, was yesterday inaugurated amid a festive mood among members who started arriving at the council secretariat early in the morning.

  • By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief, and Nissar Hoath, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • The new council, which has a two-year tenure, was inaugurated at 12.15pm.
  • Image Credit: WAM

Abu Dhabi: The 14th Chapter of the Federal National Council, the unicameral parliament of the UAE, was yesterday inaugurated amid a festive mood among members who started arriving at the council secretariat early in the morning.

All the routes leading to the FNC building in the Khubairat district of the capital and the entire surroundings were decorated with national flags to greet the members and dignitaries. The inauguration of the Council also marked the 35th anniversary of the FNC.

The new council, which has a two-year tenure, was inaugurated at 12.15pm, after the arrival of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates. They entered the hall to a warm ovation from the entire audience rising to greet them.

The President declared the session of the new Council open after the recitation of verses from the Quran. He also gave his inaugural speech, pledging an expanded future parliament with more power in decision-making.

Members started arriving and entering the grand meeting hall at about 10am, although the inauguration was scheduled for 11.30am. Ahmad Shabeeb Al Daheri, now elected a member for the fourth time, was the first to enter the hall. Among the women members Najla Al Awadi was the first to enter the hall, followed by other women members.

Historic event

After the arrival of all the members, Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, Shaikhs, Cabinet members, senior military and Interior Ministry officers and government officials entered the House to witness the inauguration.

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, who had come early in the morning, made sure everything was in order to make the inauguration a memorable and historic event. After the conclusion of the ceremony with the Presidential speech, the House sat to conduct its proceedings.

Abdullah Nasser Huwaileel Al Mansouri chaired the meeting being the most senior member in the house. Earlier, he gave the welcome speech.

The proceedings began with elections of the speaker, two deputy speakers and two observers. The House also elected a three-member Executive Committee for Parliamentary Affairs.

The other proceedings of the day included the formation of eight standing committees and a panel to prepare the Council's response to the President's speech.

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