Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, died on Friday at the age of 73, state news agency WAM reported.
His modernization policies helped transform his country into a regional power.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nations and the entire world. The nation’s leader and patron of his march, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, State President, passed away at the Lord’s side today, Friday, May 13,” WAM said.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announces an official mourning and flags at half-mast for the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, for a period of 40 days starting today, and suspending work in ministries , departments, federal and local institutions, and the private sector for 3 days, starting today (Friday),” WAM said in a tweet.
Sheikh Khalifa’s role has been largely ceremonial since he suffered a stroke and underwent surgery in 2014. His brother and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, has been widely seen as the de facto leader of the UAE. States, dealing with day-to-day affairs for the Gulf state.
Sheikh Khalifa was named second president of the UAE in 2004, succeeding his father and founder of the nation, Sheikh Zayed al Nahyan.
Born in 1948 in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed. Prior to his role as president, he was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and headed the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, which makes oil policy.
As president, he headed one of the largest investment funds in the world, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, managing hundreds of billions of dollars in assets.
One of the tallest buildings in the world, the Burj Khalifa, took its name after the UAE government rescued Dubai from its debt and, as a sports fan, supported the takeover of English Premier League football club Manchester City.
Source: CNN Brasil
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