UAE-Death of Sheikh Khalifa: World leaders pay tribute to him

The death of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, provoked a wave of reactions of affliction and generated several messages of condolence from the main leading countries of the world. Here are the main reactions.

Sheikh Khalifa succeeded in 2004 to his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, president and founding father of the Emirates. The Emirati president had accompanied the transformation of his country and its success story over the past two decades.

He should be replaced in the coming days by his half-brother, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed, known as MBZ, who is already the ruler of the monarchy of the United Arab Emirates.

On Twitter, Mohammed bin Zayed said his brother’s positions, “his achievements, his wisdom, his generosity and his initiatives are found in every corner of the country”.

“Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, my mentor and my teacher, may God have mercy on you,” he added.

The country decided to declare official mourning and the flags were lowered for 40 days. The next three days from Friday will be non-working in the Emirates.

In Morocco, King Mohammed VI reacted to the disappearance of Sheikh Khalifa in a statement expressing his deep condolences and sincere feelings of compassion, on behalf of the Moroccan royal family, the Moroccan government and people.

The sovereign affirms having learned with deep affliction and great emotion the news of the death and underlined the “cruel loss of an Arab leader, noble and brave, linked to Morocco by solid bonds of brotherhood and esteem”.

King Mohammed VI also had a phone call with Sheikh Mohammed Ben Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. An official 3-day mourning has been decided, starting Friday, May 13, 2022, with the national flag being lowered to half-mast on government buildings, administrations and public places, as well as on Moroccan embassies and consulates abroad. .

Egypt also declared a state of public mourning for 3 days throughout the republic, as did Brazil. In Saudi Arabia, King Salman of Saudi Arabia and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their “great sadness” in a joint statement and a prayer in tribute to the President of the United Arab Emirates was made at Mecca .

Bahrain said it mourned the disappearance of Sheikh Khalifa and announced mourning and the lowering of its flags. The same goes for Lebanon, which announced mourning and the lowering of flags for a period of three days, as well as the modification of the regular programs of radio and television stations in accordance with this painful news.

Jordan announced a 40-day mourning and the King of Jordan said he had lost “a dear brother and leader, who devoted his life to the service of his country and the Arab and Islamic nations”.

Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, Qatar and India also offered their condolences. In the Western world too, condolences and tributes have been offered in particular by the United States and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences while US President Joe Biden hailed Sheikh Khalifa as a “true partner and friend of the United States”.

France paid tribute to “a leader respected by all” and hailed his deep attachment to stability and peace in the region and in the world, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Sheikh Khalifa was a fervent architect of the strengthening of the Franco-Emirati strategic partnership. France welcomes its continued commitment to building on the ties of trust and cooperation that unite France and the United Arab Emirates,” added the Quai d’Orsay.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed was “a wise and respected leader who will be sorely missed. He personally helped stabilize the region in a way that will be remembered forever. »