Iraq's leaders pay tribute to 'man of wisdom' Sheikh Khalifa

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi praises 'a journey full of giving and achievements'

Iraqi leaders on Friday mourned the death of the UAE's President Sheikh Khalifa, describing him as a man of “wisdom” and “achievement".

Sheikh Khalifa became the president of the UAE in 2004 after the death of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The government announced his death on Friday. He was 73.

“We received the passing of the President of UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with profound sadness and sorrow,” Iraqi President Barham Salih said.

“He was known for his wisdom and generosity for the sake of his homeland and the Arab and Islamic nation."

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi also extended his “deepest condolences and sympathy” to the Emirati leadership and people.

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

“We are confident that the pioneering path that the late great man took will continue with the efforts of his country's leadership and people,” Mr Al Kadhimi said.

Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi said Sheikh Khalifa's life was “a journey full of giving and achievements”.

Mr Al Halbousi offered his condolences, asking “the Almighty to have mercy upon his soul and to grant our brothers patience and solace”.

Ties between the UAE and Iraq have been strengthening in recent years. In 2018, the UAE pledged $50.4 million (Dh185m) to restore several landmarks in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul after it emerged from more than three years under ISIS control and a bitter war to take it back.

The Unesco flagship initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” was launched mainly to reconstruct the Al Nouri Mosque, as well as two old churches, Al Saa’a and Al Tahera, and areas of significant cultural value.

The bilateral relations are being further boosted under the government of Mr Al Kadhimi. Early last year, the UAE pledged $3bn in investment commitments to Iraq during his visit to the UAE.

In October last year, Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, landed a deal with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and National Investment Commission to implement solar projects that will boost the country's goal of generating 20 per cent to 25 per cent of its energy from renewables, equal to 10-12 gigawatts, by 2030.

In 2008, the UAE cancelled almost $7bn of debt, including interest and arrears payments, owed by Baghdad, becoming the first Gulf Arab country to forgive all of Iraq’s debt.