Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the long-sick ruler of the United Arab Emirates and President of the United Arab Emirates, died on Friday, the state-run news agency announced in a brief statement.
The long ailing ruler was 73 years old. he was also the ruler of abu dhabi emirate,
He had long occupied himself with being involved in day-to-day affairs with his brother, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, who was seen as the de-factor ruler.
The de facto ruler of Mohamed bin Zayed was US-ally the United Arab EmiratesEspecially after Khalifa suffered a stroke in 2014, after which he was rarely seen in public.
No immediate announcement was made about a successor.
Under the constitution, the Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of DubaiThe President will act as long as the Federal Council, which is the group of rulers of the seven emirates, meets within 30 days to elect a new President.
The UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced 40 days of mourning and the suspension of three days of work in all ministries and the private sector starting Friday, with flags flying at half-staff.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the United Arab Emirates, Arab and Islamic countries and the world on the death of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022, Allah Almighty Wishes to grant him eternal peace and the people of UAE patience and consolation,” the statement read.
Khalifa, born in 1948, came to power in 2004 in the richest emirate of Abu Dhabi and became head of state. His half-brother is expected to be succeeded as Abu Dhabi’s ruler by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.