courts to review family and religious disputes

Suffrage:
none

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan
(since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4
November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since
8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)
note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the
seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional
authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions
federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi)
and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power
head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime
Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990);
Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 October
2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (composed
of rulers of the seven emirates) for five-year terms; election last
held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and
first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009);
prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president
election results: KHALIFA bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan elected president
by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
unanimously reaffirmed vice president

Legislative branch:
unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad
al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the
constituent states to serve two-year terms)
elections: none
note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Judicial branch:
Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders:
none

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI
note: also a consulate or representative office in New York, NY
FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432
telephone: [