An illustrious career – and a life of luxury

THE United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Ireland, Khalid Nasser Rashed Lootah, had an extensive career as diplomat before he took up his position in Dublin in February 2010.

He was the UAE’s first ambassador to take up the position here and present his credentials to former President Mary MacAleese.

He appears accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. The ambassador, who owns two 7-series BMWs worth more than €100K each as well as a V8-engined Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon, was living in the penthouse of the Merrion Hotel until May of this year.

He then moved to the former home of developer Johnny Ronan known as the Pink Palace, in Burlington Road in Dublin 4.

Mr Lootah began his diplomatic career in 1984 when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served in the diplomatic and consular section from 1984 to 1988.

He was promoted to the rank of second secretary and posted to The UAE’s embassy in Morocco for the next three years before being promoted to the rank of first secretary.

He then moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, where he first served as director of Emirates communications for three years. In 1999 he was made councillor of the finance and administration section of the ministry and then became deputy director of its technical engineering section.

In 2007 he was appointed minister plenipotentiary and was based in the UAE’s embassy in Pakistan before being made ambassador to Ireland.