UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan died today at the age of 73, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced, reported the Emirates news agency WAM on Friday.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the world over the demise of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE,” WAM reported.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs declared official mourning for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for 40 days from today. The country’s flags will be flown at half-mast during the mourning period, while ministries, departments, institutions and private sector institutions be closed for three days.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan served as the president of the United Arab Emirates, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, and the supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces since 2004.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the first son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, succeeded his father as Emir of Abu Dhabi in 2004 and President of the UAE.
Khalifa suffered a stroke in January 2014 and has since reduced his involvement in state issues while retaining ceremonial presidential powers. His half-brother, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, currently oversees state affairs and day-to-day decision-making in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
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