Arab leaders pay rich tributes to Khalifa
UAE President hailed as beacon of peace and prosperity in region
Leaders from the GCC and other Arab nations paid rich tributes to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who passed away at the age of 73 yesterday.
Saudi Arabia
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, in a statement issued by the Saudi Royal Court and carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), expressed their heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership, government and people on this great loss, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant Shaikh Khalifa eternal peace and his family and the UAE people patience and solace.
Bahrain
His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, in a statement issued by the Royal Court and carried by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in Paradise. The Royal Court announced that Bahrain will observe a three-day mourning with flags to be flown at halfmast.
Qatar
Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, in a statement issued by the Qatari Emiri Court, said that the late Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was a great leader characterised by wisdom and moderation, and dedicated his life to serving his country and nation. The Emir of Qatar prayed to Allah Almighty to have mercy on his soul and grant him peace in Paradise, and patience and solace to the Al Nahyan family, the government and the people of UAE.
Oman
Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, in a statement issued by the Diwan of Royal Court of Oman and carried by the Oman News Agency (ONA), expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant him peace in Paradise. The Diwan of Royal Court of Oman announced that the Sultanate will observe a three-day mourning with flags to be flown at halfmast across public and private sector entities, from May 13 to 15.
Kuwait
His Highness Shaikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, and Deputy Amir Shaikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, in a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), extended their deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of Kuwait to the UAE leadership, government and people on this great loss, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant Shaikh Khalifa eternal peace and his family and the UAE people patience and solace. The Kuwaiti Amir declare an official state mourning with the flag flown at half-mast for a period of 40 days, and to suspend work in government departments and bodies for three days, starting yesterday.
Egypt
President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, expressed in a tweet on his official Twitter account, his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in Paradise and to bless the UAE with continued progress.
Jordan
His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, in a tweet on his official Twitter account, carried by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant him eternal peace.
Iraq
Iraqi President Barham Salih and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi offered their condolences on the passing of Shaikh Khalifa.
Iraqi President Salih said in a tweet: “With great sadness and sorrow, we received the news of the death of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who was known for his wisdom and generosity for the sake of his homeland and the Arab and Islamic nation.” Al Kadhimi was quoted in a tweet as saying: “We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the leadership of the UAE and its honourable people, and we are confident that the pioneering path of the great leader will continue with the efforts of the country’s leadership and people.”
President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani extended his condolences to the late president’s family, stating that they “share their grief” on the death of Shaikh Khalifa. Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani sent out a condoling tweet, lauding Shaikh Khalifa’s role in the booming of the UAE.
Palestine
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has mourned the death of Shaikh Khalifa and offered his condolences to the UAE and its people. The Palestinian presidency declared a national period of mourning and flags to be flown at half-mast for one day, according to the official Wafa news agency.
Lebanon
Lebanon’s Cabinet declared nationwide mourning for Shaikh Khalifa, with flags to be flown at half-mast for three days until tomorrow. President Michel Aoun sent his condolences, saying Lebanon will “miss a president who defends just Arab causes, a sincere brother who loved Lebanon and the Lebanese who gave love and loyalty to him”.
Sudan
Sudan’s Military leader, General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, also offered his condolences in a statement. He described Shaikh Khalifa as an “exceptional leader and a wise man who contributed to the renaissance of his country which became a role model in development and progress.”
GCC council
Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in a statement expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace and grant the Al Nahyan family and the UAE people patience and solace.
OIC
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Secretary General Hussain Ibrahim Taha in a statement expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership, government and people on this great loss, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant him eternal peace and his family and the UAE people patience and solace.
Arab League
In a statement, Ahmad Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the UAE leadership, government and people on this sad news, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant him peace in Paradise. He said that Arab League will observe three-day mourning with flags to be flown at half-mast.