UAE ruler replaces top posts in cabinet reshuffle

ABU DHABI, May 11 - The United Arab Emirates replaced two deputy prime ministers on Monday in a reshuffle that did not affect the OPEC oil exporter's energy portfolio but promoted two influential members of Abu Dhabi's ruling family.

Presidential Affairs Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the man behind Abu Dhabi's investments in Daimler <DAIGn.DE> and Barclays Plc <BARC.L>, and Interior Minister Saif bin Zayed al-Nahayan, were named deputy prime ministers, the official WAM new agency reported.

They replace Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al-Nahayan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the agency said. All four are brothers of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

"I think we are in for a re-energising of the cabinet," said Abdel-Khaleq Abdullah, an Emirati political scientist. "These positions have been there for so many years. Sheikh Sultan has been around for last 30 years as deputy prime minister."

"But despite the fact there has been this change, the essentials are still there. The two new deputy prime ministers are from Abu Dhabi."

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest oil producer in the seven-member federation that also includes regional trade and tourism hub Dubai, whose ruler is also UAE vice president and prime minister.

The global financial crisis has raised expectations in the region that wealthy Abu Dhabi would have to support Dubai which suffered acute strains from the crisis after a real estate boom came to a grinding halt late in 2008.

Citing a decree by the president, WAM said Education Minister Hanif Hassan Ali and Health Minister Humaid al-Qattami swapped portfolios.

Sheikh Mansour is chairman of International Petroleum Investment Company, chairman of First Gulf Bank <FGB.AD> and a member of the Supreme Petroleum Council, Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He is also owner of Manchester City football club.