President Sheikh Mohamed pays tribute after death of Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili

Funeral prayers for military escort to UAE Founding Father took place in Al Ain on Thursday

Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili is buried at Al Mutarid cemetery. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, was among those who attended. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif and Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed, chairman of the National Media Office, at Al Mutarid cemetery. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attend the burial of Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan helps carry the body of Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and other senior officials attend funeral prayers at Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Funeral prayers for Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili, who was a military escort to UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Funeral prayers for Mr Al Khaili took place on Thursday in Al Ain. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Saif and other senior officials at Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan attend the funeral prayers. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif was among the senior officials in attendance. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Mr Al Khaili was one of the first recipients in the Abu Dhabi Awards in 2005, which honours the significant contributions of citizens and residents. Omar Askar / UAE Presidential Court

Funeral prayers were held at Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his condolences following the death of prominent Emirati Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili.

Mr Al Khaili was a military escort to UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and rose to the rank of lieutenant general during a distinguished career.

Sheikh Mohamed paid tribute to Mr Al Khaili in a post on X on Thursday evening.

“My sincere condolences to the family of Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili, who worked closely with the late Sheikh Zayed and dedicated his life in service to the UAE and its people,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.

“We pray that God grants him eternal rest and blesses us with patience and comfort.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, paid homage to a man who he said spent “45 years serving his country, its leaders and its fellow citizens” in a message on X.

Sheikh Mohammed also paid condolences on Friday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, reported state news agency Wam.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, hailed “one of the loyal sons of the nation” on social media.

Mr Al Khaili was one of the first recipients in the Abu Dhabi Awards in 2005, which honours the significant contributions of citizens and residents alike to the nation.

He had a street named after him in Al Ain in honour of his accomplishments.

Funeral prayers for Mr Al Khaili, whose age was not disclosed, took place on Thursday in Al Ain, Wam reported.

He was escorted to his final resting place by dignitaries including Sheikh Mansour.