World leaders arriving to pay tributes to Sheikh Khalifa

Johnson and Macron are among leaders visiting country to offer condolences on death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to the UAE today to offer his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan following the death of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed on Friday.

Johnson, who said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death Sheikh Khalifa, will also use the visit “to reinforce the close bond between the United Kingdom and UAE which will continue under the Presidency of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” the statement said.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron will also travel to Abu Dhabi today to pay tribute to the late Emirati leader and show support for the new president, his office announced.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is also headed to the UAE, along with Sudan’s leader Abdel Fattah Al Burhan.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was to arrive in the UAE on Saturday to offer his condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Shehbaz Sharif will offer his condolences to the newly-elected President and congratulate him today.

US Vice-president Kamala Harris will head a US delegation to the UAE tomorrow to offer condolences following Sheikh Khalifa’s death and will meet with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, press secretary Kirsten Allen said.

In Abu Dhabi, Harris will meet with Sheikh Mohamed and “underscore the strength of the partnership between our countries and our desire to further deepen our ties in the coming months and years,” the statement said.

M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-president of India, will be visiting the UAE today to offer condolences on behalf of India to the UAE leadership following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Naidu’s visit to the UAE.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden congratulated his “long-time friend” and Russian President Vladimir Putin also welcomed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s appointment as the new president.

Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad, who visited the UAE in March, also sent a gushing tribute on the election of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. — agencies

I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He was a wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously. Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister