SHEIKH MOHAMED’S TRIBUTE TO ‘GUARDIAN OF THE NATION’
▶ President mourns Sheikh Khalifa as Erdogan visits Abu Dhabi to pay his respects
President Sheikh Mohamed has paid an emotional tribute to Sheikh Khalifa.
“With his enduring wisdom and generosity, my brother Khalifa bin Zayed was the heart of our family and the guardian of our nation,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media. “He was loved greatly and will be deeply missed, but his remarkable legacy will live on for ever. May God grant him eternal peace.”
Sheikh Mohamed’s tribute came as world leaders continue to pay their respects. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday and met the President.
Last night, a video was released of the Federal Supreme Council’s meeting on Saturday, in which Sheikh Mohamed was elected President.
It shows the Rulers of the emirates offering their condolences and also congratulating Sheikh Mohamed.
“Your Highnesses, you are all here to pay your condolences. But I should be the one to pay condolences to you on the passing of our brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. This is a natural part of life,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, then said he and the other Rulers were there to pay “sincere condolences to you and ourselves”.
“We also came to congratulate you and ourselves on your leadership as President of our country,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “We are all here to support you in any way we can.”
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said Sheikh Mohamed was no stranger to them.
“We accompanied you in leading us during these challenging times ... and you exceeded all expectations,” Sheikh Dr Sultan said. “We are all by your side in continuing the legacy of the Union. We hereby elect you to be our President and leader ... the UAE and its people are in safe hands under your stewardship and our country is in a strong position.”
Mr Erdogan was received by
Sheikh Mohamed at the Presidential Airport.
Dozens of world leaders, dignitaries and officials have travelled to the capital in recent days to pay their respects to Sheikh Khalifa.
They have also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on his election as President.
Sheikh Mohamed yesterday continued to receive messages of support from around the world after being elected president, while tributes to Sheikh Khalifa flooded in.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon to meet Sheikh Mohamed.
“On the occasion of your election to the Presidency of the UAE, I would like to convey to you, on my own behalf and on behalf of the entire Italian people, my warmest congratulations and my best wishes for your success in carrying out the high office entrusted to you,” the Italian president wrote on the Italian embassy’s Twitter account.
The European Parliament congratulated Sheikh Mohamed and said it would work to bolster ties with the Emirates, including the Federal National Council.
“I congratulate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the UAE, and I wish the people of the Emirates further prosperity and advancement under Sheikh Mohamed’s leadership,” said Hannah Neumann, the parliament’s chairwoman of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula.
She said the delegation would “continue to work towards consolidating a strong and enduring political and parliamentary partnership with the United Arab Emirates and its Federal National Council”.
“Under Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s leadership, the UAE embarked on an unprecedented era of growth and modernisation, which made the country one of the emerging powerhouses in the region and a global centre for commerce, cultural exchange and tourism.’’
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives, said Sheikh Khalifa had been a “dear friend” to his nation.
He said Sheikh Khalifa had been among the first world leaders to provide assistance as his country battled against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With His Highness Sheikh Khalifa’s innovative approach to growth, the UAE has become a centre of global commerce, and of Islamic knowledge and culture.
“The UAE has prospered at the global stage during his tenure and become a close and dear friend of the Maldives.”
Mr Solih said he looked forward to deepening ties with the UAE under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed, who he described as a “brother and a close ally” to the Maldives.
“I wish him every success in his new leadership role, and I look forward to working closely with His Highness to expand our existing relations over the coming years,” the president said.
Maqsoud Kruse, chairman of the National Human Rights Institution, lauded the achievements of Sheikh Khalifa during his 18-year tenure as president.
The body said the UAE was achieving excellence in human rights, stressing that it has taken serious steps towards realising distinguished successes.
Mr Kruse pointed to Sheikh Khalifa’s decision to establish the independent body last year as part of a long-term vision to advance human rights.