World leaders descend on UAE to pay respects to late Sheikh Khalifa
DUBAI: An array of presidents and prime ministers continued to descend on the United Arab Emirates from around the world on Sunday to pay their respects to the federation’s late ruler. They also came to praise his successor, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - a vivid sign of Abu Dhabi’s influence in Western and Arab capitals.
The first Western leader to jet to the oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi was French President Emmanuel Macron.
He met on Sunday with Sheikh Mohammed to pay tribute to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s longailing ruler who died on Friday at the age of 73.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to arrive later on Sunday to offer condolences, along with other leaders including Israeli President Isaac Herzog after the two countries opened formal relations in 2020.
An American delegation led by Vice-President Kamala Harris is due to visit the UAE on Monday, a bid to show support after relations between the countries have recently strained.
Arab heads of state, including close allies Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II travelled to the UAE on Saturday.
“He was respected by all for the values of peace, openness and dialogue that he embodied,” Macron wrote on Twitter of Sheikh Khalifa, expressing “full support” for the ascension of his half-brother Sheikh Mohammed after rulers in the federation unanimously appointed him as president.
India’s VP visits UAE to pay respects to late ruler
India’s Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday visited the UAE and offered condolences to the top leadership on the demise of President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa passed away on Friday after battling illness for several years. He was 73.
Vice-President Naidu, on landing in Abu Dhabi at noon, went straight to Mushrif Palace and offered his condolences to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, newly-elected President of the UAE, the royal family and the entire leadership of the UAE, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
He conveyed the condolences of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and reiterated that India and its people stand by the UAE at this difficult time.