UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan passes away (File Photo)

Abu Dhabi:

United Arab Emirates

(UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan died on Friday at the age of 73.

He had been battling the disease for many years. The official WAM news agency said, "The Ministry of Presidential Affairs stands with the people of the UAE and the Islamic world in this hour of grief at the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday, 13 May. Hai....." The ministry has declared 40 days of mourning and the UAE flag will remain at half-mast for 40 days from Friday.

Work in public and private sector offices has also been suspended for the first three days.

Sheikh Khalifa was sworn in as the second President of the UAE in 2004, and the 16th King of Abu Dhabi and succeeded his father.

Abu Dhabi is the richest emirate of the UAE. 

He was occasionally seen in public since 2014.

He had surgery after suffering a heart attack, although he continued to issue orders. 

His brother and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed is now believed to be the natural ruler of the UAE for the next few years.  

Indian leaders have tweeted condoling the death of the President of Dubai.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written that he is deeply saddened by the demise of Sheikh Khalifa, who always had good relations with Kerala.  

Deeply saddened by the passing of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who has always kept cordial relations with Kerala.

He was a visionary leader who played a key role in modernizing the Emirates.

His contributions will be remembered forever.

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— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) May 13, 2022

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, "Our condolences to the people of UAE on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa, a thought leader of his country and a good friend of India."  

Sincere condolences to the government and people of the UAE on the demise of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, a visionary leader of his nation & a good friend of India.

May his soul abide in peace.

,

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— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 13, 2022

At the same time, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has also expressed grief in this hour by tweeting.

He said that Sheikh Khalifa carried out many reforms in the UAE which took this country on the path of prosperity.

Received with profound grief, the news of the death of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.



A strong and visionary leader, he steered the UAE through pathbreaking reforms making it an oasis of prosperity.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 13, 2022