LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD JOIN THE UAE IN REMEMBERING PRESIDENT SHEIKH KHALIFA
▶ Countries across the region extend their condolences and announce periods of mourning
Leaders from the region and around the world have offered their condolences after the death of the UAE’s President, Sheikh Khalifa. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences to the “government of the UAE, Al Nahyan family, the Emirati people and the Arab and Islamic nations over the death of Sheikh Khalifa”, the royal court said.
The UN’s offices in the UAE expressed their condolences on the “profound loss of Sheikh Khalifa”.
“In this moment of grief, our thoughts are with the people of the UAE,” it said.
“The UN offices are now in official mourning and the flags are flown at half-mast on all UAE lands.”
Sheikh Khalifa died after “a life full of giving, and giving in the service of his people, his homeland and the Arab and Islamic nation”, said GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf.
Kuwait declared 40 days of mourning and the closure of state institutions for three days as a mark of respect.
“The Arab and Islamic nations have lost one of their leaders, a great man who devoted his life to serving his country and people and defending Arab and Islamic causes,” said Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Nawaf.
He recalled Sheikh Khalifa’s “fair and righteous stance” towards the country during the period of Iraqi occupation.
He said Sheikh Khalifa had led the Emirates “during a period of a comprehensive renaissance that placed it in the ranks of the developed countries”.
Bahrain will hold three days of mourning, its royal court announced.
Sheikh Khalifa died “after a life full of giving and achievements in the service of his people and the Arab and Islamic nation and in support of its causes”, King Hamad said.
Oman’s Sultan Haitham also ordered three days of mourning in the country.
Sheikh Khalifa “led the sisterly United Arab Emirates with determination and perseverance until it became a landmark referred to in all fields”, the Diwan of Oman’s Royal Court said in a statement issued on behalf of the sultan.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, also ordered three days of mourning and lamented the loss of “a great leader, who was wise and moderate”.
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit offered his condolences to the UAE’s “state, its leadership, government and people, in light of this great loss”.
He ordered the Arab League flag to be lowered for three days as a mark of respect.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed sorrow after the announcement of Sheikh Khalifa’s death.
“I mourn with sincere sadness and sorrow a man of the most precious men, and one of the greatest leaders, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who passed away after a long journey of giving,” Mr El Sisi said on social media.
“He has given a lot to his country and nation so that the UAE has become a model for development and modernity in our region and the world.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II ordered 40 days of mourning for Sheikh Khalifa.
“We have lost a dear brother and an outstanding leader who inherited wisdom from his late, great father Sheikh Zayed and dedicated his life to serving his country and the Arab and Islamic nations,” King Abdullah said on Twitter.
Egypt’s Al Azhar, one of the highest seats of Islamic learning, mourned Sheikh Khalifa’s death “after a journey full of achievements in which his country presented a unique example of leadership and prosperity”, in a message on Facebook.
Morocco’s King Mohamed VI sent condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his sympathies to the UAE and also declared a national period of mourning.
Flags will be flown at halfstaff for one day, Palestine’s Wafa news agency reported.
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett extended his condolences to the Emirates.
“The legacy and great deeds of Sheikh Khalifa were much appreciated in Israel. The state of Israel stands alongside the United Arab Emirates and with it at this difficult time,” Mr Bennett said.
Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi extended their condolences. Mr Salih said Sheikh Khalifa was a man “known for his wisdom and generosity for the sake of his homeland and the Arab and Islamic nation”.
Mr Al Kadhimi said: “We are confident that the pioneering path that the late great man took will continue with the efforts of his country’s leadership and people.”
Lebanon’s Cabinet yesterday declared nationwide mourning for Sheikh Khalifa, with flags to be flown at halfstaff for three days.
President Michel Aoun also sent his condolences to the UAE and said his country would “miss a president who defends just Arab causes, a sincere brother who loved Lebanon and the Lebanese who gave love and loyalty to him”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his condolences and said he would visit the Emirates to pay his respects, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute by describing Sheikh Khalifa as a “wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously” and who “made a personal contribution to regional stability and conservation that will long be remembered”.
The UK’s ambassador to the Emirates, Patrick Moody, said he was “deeply saddened by the news”.
“On behalf of the British government and British people, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences,” he said. “His Highness’ resolve and devotion to his country will continue to be an example of strong leadership and compassion. Our prayers and sympathies are with all the people of the United Arab Emirates at this time of national mourning.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sympathies to the people of the UAE.
Tributes also flooded in from other regional and international leaders, including Sudan’s Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan who described Sheikh 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”.
Sheikh Khalifa “was among those who worked relentlessly and patiently on bolstering joint Arab action and championing Arab causes both regionally and internationally,” Gen Al Burhan said.
US President Joe Biden said that he and the first lady, Jill Biden, were deeply saddened by the news.
“Sheikh Khalifa was a true partner and friend of the United States throughout his decades-long tenure as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and in his earlier role as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,” Mr Biden said.
“On behalf of the American people, I offer my condolences to Sheikh Khalifa’s family and all Emiratis as they mourn this great loss.
“We will honour his memory by continuing to strengthen the long-standing ties between the governments and people of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Mr Biden called Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to express his condolences.
“The two leaders agreed to honour Sheikh Khalifa’s memory by continuing to strengthen ties between governments and people of the United States and the UAE,” she said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also offered his condolences to the UAE.
“We deeply valued his support in building the extraordinary partnership our countries enjoy today,” he said. “We mourn his passing, honour his legacy and remain committed to our steadfast friendship and co-operation with the United Arab Emirates.”
Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, meanwhile, praised the US-UAE security partnership.
“We are grateful for the President’s steadfast commitment to regional stability and security and will honour his legacy through our strong defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates,” Mr Austin said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sheikh Khalifa was “a great statesman and visionary leader under whom India-UAE relations prospered”.
“The heartfelt condolences of the people of India are with the people of UAE,” Mr Modi said on Twitter.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the “UAE has lost visionary leader and Pakistan a great friend”.
The embassy of Pakistan sent its “heartfelt condolences” to the UAE after the death of Sheikh Khalifa was announced.
“He was well-wisher and a sincere friend of Pakistan,” the embassy said.
“In this hour of extreme grief, the Pakistani community in the UAE stands with their UAE brethren.
“May Almighty Allah rest his soul in eternal peace and give the bereaved leadership and people of the UAE the courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.”
European Council President Charles Michel also offered his condolences.
“The EU honours his legacy and leadership under which the UAE became frontrunner of sustainable development and economic diversification,” Mr Michel said.
Sheikh Khalifa “will be deeply missed and mourned”, British former prime minister Tony Blair said.
“He was respected not only in his country but throughout the wider region and the world,” he said.
Italy expressed its “deepest sadness” to the leadership and people of the UAE.
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio also said the death of Sheikh Khalifa was “a great loss to the people of UAE and the world”.
The Arab and Islamic nations have lost ... a great man who devoted his life to serving his country SHEIKH NAWAF Emir of Kuwait