Time names Khalifa in 25 most powerful leaders

The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has been named among the 25 most powerful leaders in the world in 2010 by the Arabic edition of Time magazine. Sheikh Khalifa's ranking went up from 51 in the initial nomination announced earlier this year, to 23 in the annual world list of the most influential leaders.

This is the second time this year a leading international publication has selected the UAE President among the top world leaders. The Arabic edition of Newsweek magazine had named Sheikh Khalifa as personality of the year after the international edition placed him among the world's most 50 influential leaders for 2009.

Time said Sheikh Khalifa, as an honest custodian of the nation's wealth, is planning for the post-oil era to turn Abu Dhabi into a world centre for sustainable energy.

The publication cited his financial support for local and international efforts to tide over the international financial crisis.

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