According to Emirates news agency report on Friday, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had died at the age of 73.
From Friday, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced official national mourning for the president’s death for 40 days. During this time, flags will be flown at half mast.
Work will be suspended for three days in both the public and private sectors, beginning Friday, according to a Dubai Media Office report.
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According to Reuters, vice-president and premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, will serve as president until the federal council, which brings together the rulers of the seven emirates, meets within 30 days to elect a new president.
On November 3, 2004, Sheikh Khalifa, the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was elected President of the United Arab Emirates, succeeding his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as President of the UAE from 1971 to 2004.
