United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has passed away, state news agency WAM reported on Friday.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced official mourning and flags at half-mast for a period of 40 days, starting Friday.
Work will also be suspended in ministries, departments, federal and local institutions, and the private sector for three days.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan served as the president of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004.
He was elected to succeed his father, the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the UAE’s first president since the union in 1971 until he passed away on November 2, 2004.
Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa was the second President of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
He was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed.
