According to the state news agency of the United Arab Emirates, WAM, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has passed away. He was 73.
On Friday, the government agency wrote on its Twitter account that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs had “announced that there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half mast and three days of closure of ministries and official entities at the federal, local, and private sector levels.” The flags will be flown at half-mast during the official mourning period.
Sheikh Khalifa had been seen in public only very infrequently since he suffered a stroke in 2014. Since then, his brother, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (also known as MBZ), has been viewed as the de facto ruler and the decision-maker of major decisions regarding the country’s foreign policy, such as joining a Saudi-led war in Yemen and leading an embargo on neighboring Qatar in recent years. Sheikh Khalifa’s stroke occurred in 2014.
MBZ lamented Khalifa’s passing on Twitter, writing, “The UAE has lost its righteous son and leader of the ’empowerment phase,’ and guardian of its blessed journey.” He went on to praise Khalifa’s generosity and wisdom.
According to the constitution, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, would act as president until the federal council, which groups the rulers of the seven emirates, meets within the next 30 days to elect a new president. The federal council is composed of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Arab leaders, such as the king of Bahrain, the president of Egypt, and the prime minister of Iraq, were among the first to express their sorrow and condolences.
Sheikh Khalifa was a “true friend of the United States,” according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the United States of America, who expressed his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa.
“We held his assistance in developing the extraordinary partnership that our countries enjoy to this day in the highest regard. We are saddened by his passing, we will honor the legacy he leaves behind, and we will continue to be committed to our steadfast friendship and cooperation with the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Sheikh Khalifa assumed the role of head of state in 2004 after ascending to power in Abu Dhabi, the emirate with the highest per capita income. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed is widely regarded as the most likely candidate to succeed him as ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Khalifa’s late father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, established the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation in 1971. Since that time, the presidency of the UAE has been held by Abu Dhabi, which controls the majority of the Gulf state’s oil wealth.
