Anwar Gargash replaced as UAE minister of state for foreign affairs

Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash will now serve as an advisor to the UAE leader, in a surprise cabinet shake-up announced Wednesday.

Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum announced that two ministers would be replaced moving two veteran politicians to advisory posts.

Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan will replace Gargash as minister of state for foreign affairs, who will now serve as diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Gargash became minister of foreign affairs in 2008, after previously working as a politician and academic.

He is perhaps best known for announcing the UAE's normalisation agreement with Israel last August.

Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh was appointed as cultural advisor to the president, with Khalifa Shaheen Al-Marar replacing him as minister of state, in the ministerial changes.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will remain the UAE's minister of foreign affairs.

Sheikh Mohammed has overseen some radical changes to the UAE government, introducing ministries of happiness and tolerance.

The Dubai ruler also played a key role in the UAE's space programme, including the launch of a probe to Mars.