DUBAI - Profile - Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Born in 1950 as the fourth son of the late Shaikh Rashid, Ahmad is the youngest of the ruling Maktoum brothers. With a high military rank, he heads the local security forces. But he is often abroad and still has the reputation of a "playboy".

Shaikh Ahmad graduated from the Mons Officer Cadet Training College in Britain. He began his career as chief of police and internal security in 1973. In 1977, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid became head of the central command of the Dubai armed forces. He likes hunting and motoring, apart from the common Maktoum passion for horses.