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Sheikh Khalifa bin Sajed al-Nahyan
Photo: Rashed Al Mansoori / dpa
After years of serious illness, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died on Friday at the age of 73.
The Presidential Department lowered the flags to half-mast and announced a 40-day mourning period.
Work in the public and private sectors has been suspended for three days.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and US President Joe Biden paid tribute to the political achievements of the deceased head of state.
The president of the oil-rich Gulf state has rarely been seen in public since 2014, when he suffered a stroke.
His post is expected to be taken over by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed, who was already considered the de facto ruler of the Emirates.
Steinmeier sends letters of condolence
In November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa became the second president in the history of the federation, succeeding his father as the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, the richest of the seven emirates.
The United Arab Emirates were founded in 1971 and are now the second largest economy among the Arab countries.
The Emirates maintain good relations with the USA and, since 2020, as one of the very few countries in the region, also with Israel.
"Sheikh Khalifa was a true partner and friend of the United States," wrote US President Joe Biden in his letter of condolence.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also expressed their condolences.
In a letter of condolence, Steinmeier declared that Sheikh Khalifa "led his country's successful path as president with wisdom and prudence."
He had "increased prosperity and stability and brought respect and recognition to the United Arab Emirates around the world".
The most striking legacy of Sheikh Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which he took over during the 2009 financial crisis.
Three days of national mourning were declared in Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman.
Sheikh Khalifa, who had not received any higher education, came to power in November 2004.
He has not been seen much in public since suffering a stroke in 2014.
The cause of death was not initially known.
till/AFP
