The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has died at the age of 73,
This was announced by the UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs, stating that the country will observe 40 days of mourning.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced that there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half-mast and three days closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels and the private sector,” the agency disclosed.
READ ALSO: Deborah: Nigerians React To Brutal killing Of Student Over Alleged Blasphemy
Sheikh Khalifa had suffered a stroke in 2014 and has not really been active since then.
His brother, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (known as MBZ), had taken to Twitter to express his grief.
“We belong to God and to Him we shall return. MBZ wrote.
“The Emirates lost its righteous son, the leader of the “empowerment stage” and the trustee of its blessed journey.
“His stances, achievements, wisdom, giving, and initiatives 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 enter you into his good pleasure and paradise.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Vice-President and Prime Minister, would act as president until the federal council meets within 30 days to elect a new president.