UAE President Sheikh Khalifa laid to rest

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will receive condolences from the rulers of the Emirates on Saturday, as leaders from the region and around the world offer their condolences. There will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half-staff, and three-day closure of government departments and the private sector

Pallbearers carry the body of President Sheikh Khalifa to be laid to rest. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, carry the body of Sheikh Khalifa. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed leads prayers for the late President Khalifa. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends the burial of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at Al Bateen cemetery.

Sheikh Khalifa is laid to rest

Sheikh Mansour prays at Al Bateen cemetery

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, left, adviser to the UAE President, attends the burial of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at Al Bateen cemetery.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, right, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed at the burial.

Ruling family members and senior officials attend funeral prayers

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, third left; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, fourth left; and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed attend funeral prayers for Sheikh Khalifa at Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed The First mosque.

From right: Sheikh Saeed bin Saif, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and Sheikh Saif bin Mohamed attend funeral prayers for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed The First mosque.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed was laid to rest on Friday night following nationwide prayers.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, led senior leaders in prayer at a cemetery in Al Bateen.

A military honour guard in dress uniform carried the president's body before it was handed to his family for burial.

Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, carried Sheikh Khalifa's body to his rest.

Images showed dozens of ruling family members and senior officials in prayer by the graveside.

Worshippers in mosques nationwide paid their respects to Sheikh Khalifa, who died at age 73.

At Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the country's largest, thousands turned out.

On Saturday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will receive condolences from the rulers of the Emirates and senior officials at Mushrif Palace.

Earlier, a three-day period of mourning was announced. Government offices will close and public and private sector workers will return to work on Tuesday. Schools will remain closed until Tuesday.

Flags fly at half-staff across UAE: in pictures

The UAE flag flies at half-mast in Abu Dhabi, following the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13. He was 73. EPA

Forty days of official mourning have been announced. EPA

People pass by the UAE national flag, flying at half-staff, following the announcement of President Sheikh Khalifa's death. AP Photo

The UAE national flag flies at half-staff in Dubai. AP Photo

The UAE flag flies at half-staff in Abu Dhabi, following the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Victor Besa / The National

The national flag flies at half-staff at Union House, Dubai – where the declaration establishing the UAE was made – after the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Flags at half-staff outside the ADNOC offices at the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, as the UAE mourns the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The UAE flag flies at half-staff, with the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background, after the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

As the country mourns the death of President Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE flag flies at half-staff outside Union House in Dubai. This is where the country's flag was hoisted for the first time in 1971. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE will enter 40 days of mourning with flags at half-staff, and government ministries and federal, local and private sector entities closing for three days. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags fly at half-staff at the entrance to the Presidential Palace of Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi after the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags fly at half-staff at Emirates Palace along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi after the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National