Leaked Audio Reveals Nasser and Gaddafi Discuss Sheikh Zayed’s Loyalty to British Rule

Watan-A rare leaked audio recording has stirred wide controversy across Arab platforms after revealing a conversation between the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, in which the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former ruler of Abu Dhabi, was mentioned in a context suggesting deep submission to British colonial rule.

In the conversation, Nasser relayed that Sheikh Zayed expressed fear about donating money to Egypt in support of its war against Israeli occupation, worrying that “the British might remove him from power.” This quote shook social media due to its serious political and historical implications.

The rapidly spreading leak has reignited scrutiny over the early foundations of the United Arab Emirates, specifically Sheikh Zayed’s ties to British intelligence, which is said to have played a role in removing his brother Shakhbut and installing Zayed in power—“on a platter of British rifles.”

This document opened a deep dive into the bloody history of the ruling family, with accounts suggesting Zayed rose to power through a series of assassinations and coups within the family, including the assassination of Sultan by his brother Hamdan, ultimately paving the way for Zayed’s ascent with clear British backing.

While the official narrative frames Sheikh Zayed as the “hero of unity and generosity,” the leaked audio and documents reveal a different image—of a ruler obedient to colonial demands, offering loyalty in exchange for retaining power. This forces a re-evaluation of the official narrative that Abu Dhabi has shaped over decades about its national icons.

So, the question now looms: Will Gulf media dare to confront these facts? Or will silence and censorship continue to dominate the discourse?