United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was shown in a publicly released video on Wednesday meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, quelling a wave of online speculation about his health that had circulated following a disputed statement earlier this month.
The footage, shared by the UAE Presidential Court and the state news agency WAM, shows Sheikh Mohamed smiling alongside Senator Graham during a meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. Photographs from the engagement were distributed widely by WAM, which confirmed the president’s physical presence and apparent good health.
Rumours about the UAE leader’s condition began earlier this month after a statement attributed to the Turkish presidency, later deleted, suggested that Sheikh Mohamed had a “health problem” and was unable to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a planned visit. That statement was removed from official channels, but not before it triggered widespread social media speculation, including a brief, inaccurate edit to his public biography online suggesting he had died.
Senator Graham addressed the rumours directly on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing false narratives about the UAE and its president as “full of it.” He said he met with Sheikh Mohamed for about 90 minutes and asserted that the president was “alive … well and as sharp as I’ve ever seen him.” Graham also said he planned to proceed to Saudi Arabia after his Abu Dhabi visit.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened regional attention on Gulf leadership and diplomatic engagements. The United Arab Emirates has been navigating complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, including relations with neighbouring Saudi Arabia and discussions with Western partners on regional security and economic cooperation.
The public release of video footage and photographs was aimed at dispelling rumours about Sheikh Mohamed’s health and reaffirming the stability of UAE leadership. Analysts say such transparency is often used by Gulf states to counter misinformation and reassure both domestic and international audiences.
Originally Published By: Dawn
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