Bahrain on Friday announced three days of mourning to mark the death of the UAE's President, Sheikh Khalifa.
The UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced on Friday the death of Sheikh Khalifa at the age of 73. The UAE government announced 40 days of mourning for the President, who led the country following the death of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 2004.
Bahrain's King Hamad joined leaders around the world in expressing condolences to the leadership and people of the UAE.
He said Sheikh Khalifa was “a wise leader who devoted his life to serving his people”.
The UAE President died “after a life full of giving and achievements in the service of his people and the Arab and Islamic nation and in support of its causes”, King Hamad said.
He praised Sheikh Khalifa's achievements and expressed “our sincere condolences to our brothers, the honourable royal family of Al Nahyan and the dear people of the Emirates”.
For three days, flags in Bahrain will be flown at half-staff to mark a period of mourning.
The life of Sheikh Khalifa — in pictures
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Sheikh Khalifa, right, and dignitaries watch a parade on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate Accession Day, on November 28 1971. Photo: Al Ittihad -
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher greets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at 10 Downing Street in London, on July 18, 1984. Keystone / Hulton Archive -
UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad -
Sheikh Zayed inspects plans for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with his sons Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Sultan. Photo: Al Ittihad -
French President Jacques Chirac speaks to Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the end of his visit to the UAE on December 16, 1997. Reuters -
US President Bill Clinton meets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 12, 1998. Reuters -
Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to President Sheikh Khalifa, on the sidelines Sheikh Zayed's funeral in Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2004. AFP -
President Sheikh Khalifa stands for a photo with the UAE national football team at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on January 31, 2007, after the team beat Oman to win the Gulf Cup for the first time. AFP -
President Sheikh Khalifa watches the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 1, 2009, with Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakstan, and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ryan Carter / The National -
President Sheikh Khalifa greets Oman's leader, Sultan Qaboos, at Al Ain airport on July 11, 2011. Wam -
President Sheikh Khalifa leaves Al Ain on December 30, 2012, for a private visit to Pakistan. Wam -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, presents the first copy of his new book 'Flashes of Thought' to President Sheikh Khalifa in 2013. Wam -
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Khalifa at Windsor Castle in southern England on April 30, 2013. Reuters -
President Sheikh Khalifa meets family members at his home in Evian, France, in 2014. Wam -
President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, on May 8, 2019. Also present is Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Khalifa. Wam -
President Sheikh Khalifa. Wam -
Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam -
Sheikh Khalifa performing Umrah. Wam -
Sheikh Khalifa. Wam -
President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Wam
