Sheikh Mohamed leads tributes following death of military leader Khalfan Al Rumaithi
President Sheikh Mohamed has paid tribute to decorated military leader Khalfan Al Rumaithi following his death.
In a message on social media, Sheikh Mohamed said Lt Gen Al Rumaithi championed the interests of the Emirates “with loyalty and dedication for decades”.
Lt Gen Al Rumaithi enjoyed a long and distinguished career, rising from the ranks of the Trucial Oman Scouts to lead the Amiri Guard, the UAE’s top security force and the forerunner to the Presidential Guard.
In 2005, he was honoured for his commitment to his country by being named among the inaugural winners of the Abu Dhabi Award.
The accolade recognises contributions of people in a variety of fields to the progress of the emirate and the country.
Recipients receive the Abu Dhabi Medal, the highest civilian honour issued by an Emiree Decree, the Abu Dhabi Awards website says.
Sheikh Mohamed said Lt Gen Al Rumaithi had accompanied UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in supporting the development of the nation. “May God have mercy on Khalfan Matar Al Rumaithi and place him in spacious Paradise,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X on Friday night.
“He accompanied Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, and served the Emirates with loyalty and dedication for decades, and his life was full of giving and loyalty to the homeland.”
Sheikh Mohamed also sent his “sincere condolences” to Lt Gen Al Rumaithi’s family.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive
Council, also offered his condolences at a mourning majlis in Al Ain.
Sheikh Khaled passed on his deepest sympathies to the family and wished them courage and solace.
He emphasised that the UAE mourned the loss of a dedicated individual who served his country and community faithfully.
Sheikh Khaled also paid tribute to Lt Gen Al Rumaithi’s “lasting impact” during his extensive service with Sheikh Zayed.
Lt Gen Issa Al Mazrouei, chief of staff of the Armed
Forces, and Matar Al Dhaheri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, were joined by a number of senior officers in offering their sympathies at the condolence council.
Lt Gen Al Mazrouei extended his sincere condolences to the family of Lt Gen Al Rumaithi in a message shared on social media by the Ministry of Defence on Saturday.