The billionaire owner of Manchester City has netted a ?1.5bn profit after selling his stake in Barclays.
Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who heads up the Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company, sold a near-12% stake in the bank.
He bought ?2bn of convertible notes which could be changed into Barclays shares at 153p.
They were sold on Tuesday for 265p - netting him a profit of almost ?1.5bn.
Barclays turned to Abu Dhabi and Qatar last autumn to strengthen its balance sheet at the height of the financial crisis.
IPIC said the deal reflected its focus on oil and gas investment.
The firm said: "IPIC has a high regard for Barclays, and great confidence in its management team and ongoing strategy.
"The Emirate of Abu Dhabi intends to maintain a close commercial and strategic relationship with Barclays in the future."
Barclays shares plunged more than 13% on Tuesday as investors saw the move as a sign to take profits following a recent strong run for the stock.
Investors took news of the stake sale badly, having been assured last autumn that IPIC was a long-term investor.
Other Middle East investors - the Qatari Investment Authority and Challenger, which represents Qatar's royal family - have holdings and warrants equivalent to a potential 15% stake in the bank.
Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who heads up the Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company, sold a near-12% stake in the bank.
He bought ?2bn of convertible notes which could be changed into Barclays shares at 153p.
They were sold on Tuesday for 265p - netting him a profit of almost ?1.5bn.
Barclays turned to Abu Dhabi and Qatar last autumn to strengthen its balance sheet at the height of the financial crisis.
IPIC said the deal reflected its focus on oil and gas investment.
The firm said: "IPIC has a high regard for Barclays, and great confidence in its management team and ongoing strategy.
"The Emirate of Abu Dhabi intends to maintain a close commercial and strategic relationship with Barclays in the future."
Barclays shares plunged more than 13% on Tuesday as investors saw the move as a sign to take profits following a recent strong run for the stock.
Investors took news of the stake sale badly, having been assured last autumn that IPIC was a long-term investor.
Other Middle East investors - the Qatari Investment Authority and Challenger, which represents Qatar's royal family - have holdings and warrants equivalent to a potential 15% stake in the bank.
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