Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, has died, according to the state media WAM. He was 73.
The Presidential Affairs Ministry reported his death on Friday, May 13.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the death of the nation’s President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
The UAE, according to the government, will observe a forty-day nationwide period of mourning, with the flag flying at half-mast, effective today. Work will also suspended for three days at all ministries, departments, federal, local, and private institutions, WAM noted in a report on www.wam.ae.
In 2004, Sheikh Khlaifa succeeded his father, Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s founder.
He was the UAE’s second President and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s 16th Ruler. He was Sheikh Zayed’s eldest son.
After succeeding his father, Sheikh Khlaifa had been out of the public eye for a decade. This was due to a stroke he had experienced.
The UAE saw rapid development during his leadership. The world’s tallest tower, in the UAE’s emirate of Dubai, is named Burj Khalifa in honour of the late monarch.
Sheikh Khalifa has long ceased to be involved in day-to-day matters, with his brother, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, recognised as the de-factor ruler.
There is no official statement on who will succeed him.
