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 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1966 until his death in November 2004, was elected first President of the UAE in 1971, a post to which he was re-elected at successive five year intervals. A driving force in the creation of the federation, he worked to achieve his vision of a society with high quality welfare, education, health and housing for all citizens by utilising Abu Dhabi's oil revenues to fund projects throughout the federation. Overseas, he gained a reputation as a sagacious statesman, keen to promote conciliation where possible, but at the same time firmly on the side of justice and international law. Under his leadership, the UAE has supported the Palestinians in their struggle for their homeland, was an active member of the coalition that liberated Kuwait in 1991, and is a major contributor to the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo. The country has also been a major donor of international relief aid and development assistance, reflecting Sheikh Zayed's firmly held Moslem faith, with the duty it places on believers that they should assist others less fortunate than themselves.
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