A reserved figure who led uAe’s global rise

Abu Dhabi, UAE - Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, who died on Friday, was a reserved figure who saw the United Arab Emirates skyrocket on the global scene - but rarely appeared in public himself.

Sheikh Khalifa, who died at the age of 73, succeeded his father, the late UAE founding president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, as ruler of Abu Dhabi, the largest and wealthiest emirate of the seven-member UAE.

Sheikh Khalifa had rarely been seen in public since 2014, after undergoing surgery following a stroke, even as his country continued to gain recognition on the global scene.

private figure

Sheikh Khalifa took over as the UAE's second president in November 2004, succeeding his father as the 16th ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, an independent emirate until 1971.

Sheikh Khalifa, who had no formal higher education, was at the helm of the UAE as it began its global rise, with service-oriented Dubai emerging as a global tourism and trade hub and Abu Dhabi pumping oil as a key OPEC player.

He came to the rescue of Dubai when it was hit by the global financial crisis in 2009, extending a multi-billion-dollar lifeline to the debt-laden emirate.

In a show of gratitude, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum suddenly announced the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, would be named after the president. The tower was initially dubbed Burj Dubai.

The leader ushered in the UAE's first-ever elections in December 2006, when handpicked electoral colleges chose half of the 40 members of an advisory Federal National Council.

Sheikh Khalifa was born in the oasis of Al Ain, his father's home town, which did not have schools at the time.

In 1969, Sheikh Khalifa was named crown prince of Abu Dhabi at the age of 21. Two years later, he became Abu Dhabi's prime minister.

As president, the sheikh was commander in chief of the UAE's armed forces and headed Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council, which exerts wide powers in the energy sector.

He was married to Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail al Mazrouei. The couple have eight children.

Sheikh Khalifa did much to strengthen friendly relations and constructive cooperation. He would be remembered for the remarkable progress the UAE made during his rule. Vladimir Putin President, Russia

Your distinguished brother devoted his life to serving the people of the UAE and his relationship with its allies and friends. He will be long remembered by all who work for regional stability, understanding between nations and between faiths, and for the conservation cause. Queen Elizabeth II

(In a condolence message to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan)