Mohamed bin Zayed elected UAE president
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan died on Friday, aged 73, after a years-long battle with illness, triggering a period of mourning and a handover of power in the Gulf state.
Sheikh Khalifa, who was in office during a time of rocketing fortunes for UAE but rarely seen in public, was laid to rest in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Cemetery just hours after his death was announced.
Sheikh Khalifa's funeral prayers were conducted by his expected successor and halfbrother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, who has long been viewed as the country's de facto ruler.
“The people of the Emirates are united in grief as we mourn the loss of our leader and president, Khalifa bin Zayed," tweeted Sheikh Mohamed.
Flags flew at half-mast above the interior ministry in Abu Dhabi and other landmarks at the start of 40 days of official mourning, with work suspended in the public and private sectors until Tuesday. Emirati men in traditional dress attended sombre funeral prayers at Abu Dhabi's enormous, white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where the imam's voice brimmed with emotion over the loudspeaker.
As tributes poured in from abroad, US President Joe Biden called Sheikh Khalifa "a true partner and friend of the United States".
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE's long-time de facto ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan was elected as president on Saturday, official media said, a day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik sent a congratulatory message to Sheikh Mohammed on the occasion of his election as President of UAE.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia suspended sports and entertainment events and Oman, Lebanon and Kuwait also ordered three days of mourning.
In a demonstration of the UAE's diverse allegiances, Russian President Vladimir Putin also paid tribute, as did Iran's foreign minister and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.