President Sheikh Khalifa dies aged 73

The President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa, has died.

The news was announced on Friday afternoon by the state news agency Wam.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs said there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half-staff, and three days of closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels as well as the private sector.

The official mourning period will begin on Saturday, with normal working hours resuming on Tuesday.

The UAE lost its righteous son, the leader of the 'empowerment stage' and the trustee of its blessed journey

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

The funeral will be on Friday after the maghrib prayer, with all mosques in the UAE holding funeral prayers.

On Saturday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will receive condolences from the Rulers of the Emirates and senior officials at Mushrif Palace.

In a statement published by Wam, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs expressed its condolences to the people of the UAE, Arab and Islamic nations and the world on the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his deep sadness at the news.

“It is with great sorrow and grief that we mourn to the UAE people, Arab and Islamic nations and the world the death of President of our country Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the leader of our journey,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.

“May Allah bless his soul with ease on his new journey into the hereafter and grant him the highest ranks of paradise.

“Oh God, we testify that Khalifa bin Zayed has fulfilled his duty, served and loved his people. Oh God, his people have been satisfied with him, so be pleased with him and grant him your mercy and the highest ranks of paradise.

“Grant us, his people, his family and his loved ones patience and solace. To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

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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

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  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

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  UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad

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  Sheikh Zayed inspects plans for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with his sons Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Sultan. Photo: Al Ittihad

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  President Sheikh Khalifa greets Oman's leader, Sultan Qaboos, at Al Ain airport on July 11, 2011. Wam

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  President Sheikh Khalifa leaves Al Ain on December 30, 2012, for a private visit to Pakistan. Wam

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  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

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  Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Khalifa at Windsor Castle in southern England on April 30, 2013. Reuters

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  President Sheikh Khalifa meets family members at his home in Evian, France, in 2014. Wam

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  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

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  Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

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  President Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

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  Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

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  Sheikh Khalifa performing Umrah. Wam

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  Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

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  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

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shared an online message in honour of the UAE President.

“To God we belong and to Him we shall return,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.

“The UAE lost its righteous son, the leader of the 'empowerment stage' and the trustee of its blessed journey.

“His stances, achievements, wisdom, giving and initiatives are in every corner of the country.

“Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, my mentor and my teacher, may God have mercy on you with his vast mercy and grant you his satisfaction and paradise.”

Leaders from across the region and around the world have offered their condolences.

Following the death of President Sheikh Khalifa, a new President of the Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi will be named.

The UAE Constitution states that the Supreme Council will have one month to convene and choose the successor to the role of President. The new President will be selected from among the members of the Federal Supreme Council.

During this time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid will assume all presidential powers.

The Supreme Council will then elect the new President, who will hold office for five years before being eligible for re-election.

On December 3, 2004, one day after the death of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the council met and unanimously elected Sheikh Khalifa to the position of President.

The successor of Sheikh Khalifa as Ruler of Abu Dhabi is expected to be known within 24 hours.