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LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS li
voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality, or (b) if he voluntarily
declines his nationality, or (c) if the Amir decides to withdraw it.

2. Territorial Division
According to Article 1 of the Provisional Constitution, the Union is
formed of seven Emirates, namely, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. These
Emirates constitute the territorial divisions, or provinces, of the
Union. At least four of these territorial divisions, namely, Abu
Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras al-Khaimah, have their own
independent municipal authorities. Moreover, Abu Dhabi, which
serves, at present, as the provisional capital of the Union, is divided
into two main districts, namely, the town of Abu Dhabi and the town
of al-’Ain. The latter is the capital of the Abu Dhabi province. In
accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution, Abu Dhabi has been
chosen as a provisional capital for a period of seven years from the
date of this Constitution, until a permanent capital for the Union
could be built on a defined land area lying on the boundaries between
the two Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
3. State Organs
The Government of the Union is composed of the following organs:
(i) the Supreme Council of the Union, comprising the seven Rulers
of the Emirates, (ii) the President and the Deputy President of the
Union, (iii) the Cabinet, (iv) the Federal National Council
(Parliament), (v) the Judiciary. (Art. 45).
The executive power is composed of the President and his
deputy, and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The main powers of
the Union are centred in the Executive, which acts on the basis of
authority delegated to it by the Constitution or by decisions made by
the Supreme Council. The Supreme Council is the highest authority
in the Union. Its decisions in procedural matters are binding by an
affirmative vote of the majority of its members. But its decisions in
all other matters become binding by an affirmative vote of five
members, including the concurring votes of both the Emirates of
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, (Arts. 46, 49).
The powers and functions of the Supreme Council are described
in Article 47 of the Constitution. These include making the general
policy of the Union, approving appointment of the Prime Minister,
ratifying decrees, laws, as well as treaties and international
agreements which the Government of the Union concludes or to
which it accedes.
As regards the President of the Union, his powers and functions
are described in Article 54 of the Constitution. These include