World leaders flocked to the UAE today, Sunday, and Saturday, to console its new president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, on the death of his brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose death was announced yesterday, Friday, at the age of 74.
Yesterday, Saturday, the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced the unanimous election of the Federal Supreme Council (the highest constitutional and legislative authority and includes the rulers of the seven emirates) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed as president, becoming the third president of the UAE since its inception.
Among the leaders who visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences were French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Macron told Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed that the UAE could "rely on the friendship of France".
Israeli President
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said - before heading to the UAE capital - that the establishment of relations between the UAE and Israel two years ago was "an important pillar for the entire region, established by bold and pioneering leaders, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed."
The Tunisian President arrived today, Sunday, in the Emirati capital, to offer his condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed (Anatolia)
US President Joe Biden will be represented by his Vice President, Kamala Harris, and is scheduled to arrive in the UAE tomorrow, Monday.
A number of Arab leaders flocked today and Saturday to offer condolences to the leaders of the Emirates, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Al-Ghazwani, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
Saudi Crown Prince
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation to offer condolences to the UAE's leaders.
# The_President continues to accept condolences for the second day of the leaders of the countries on the death of Sheikh Khalifa.# WAM https://t.co/bjj7jUb2pO pic.twitter.com/9FXicoCawN
— Emirates News Agency (@wamnews) May 15, 2022
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed accepted condolences from Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq, Tunisian President Qais Saeed, and Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, according to the Emirates News Agency.
He also offered condolences in Abu Dhabi - according to the same agency - Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the representative of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, his Lebanese counterparts Najib Mikati and the Algerian Ayman bin Abdul Rahman .
It should be noted that the UAE announced official mourning and flags at half-mast for a period of 40 days following the death of the late president, in addition to disrupting work in ministries, departments, federal and local institutions and the private sector for 3 days, starting last Friday.