Dubai ruler launches YouTube channel

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched his own YouTube channel, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Dubai Government Media Office announced the launch, saying it was the latest move by Sheikh Mohammed, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, to better interact with the public.

"The YouTube channel highlights the interaction of Sheikh Mohammed with the public, a move deems important in the decision making process," a statement published by state news agency WAM said.

The channel is the first of its kind to be launched by a prime minister in the Arab World, and aims to "consolidate the principle of fruitful interaction between leadership and people", the statement added.

It will also allow the public to send videos that they have captured of Sheikh Mohammad during events. The videos will have to meet certain technical specifications to be posted, the statement said.

"The channel will highlight the achievements and vision of Sheikh Mohammad through various videos, as well as the accomplishments of the UAE on both the regional and international stage," it added.

The channel can be accessed by visiting www.youtube.com and typing "Mohammed bin Rashid", in Arabic or English, in the search engine.

Sheikh Mohammed has also been a regular poster on Facebook and Twitter since 2009 and used social media to announce the arrival of his new son Zayed last month.