The government decreed “an official duel and the flags at half-staff” for a period of 40 days, with work suspended in the public and private sectors for the first three days, he added.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan succeeded his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, in November 2004, president and founding father of the United Arab Emirates, a rich Gulf state that groups seven emirates, including Dubai and the capital Abu Dhabi. .
Since the 2014 stroke, his half-brother Mohamed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, called “MBZ”, runs the country’s affairs and is seen as the de facto ruler of the oil monarchy with growing influence.
“His positions, his successes, his wisdom, his generosity and his initiatives are found in every corner of the country,” Mohammed bin Zayed declared on Twitter. “Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, my mentor and my teacher, may God grant you mercy on him,” he adds.
Economic development
Following the establishment of the federation in 1971, Sheikh Khalifa was appointed deputy prime minister of the new state. He later presided over the Superior Petroleum Council, a body endowed with broad powers in the energy field.
Under the rule of Sheikh Khalifa, the Emirates experienced rapid economic development, driven by the oil wealth of Abu Dhabi, which concentrates 90% of the federation’s reserves, and turned Dubai into a center of finance, a luxurious tourist destination and crucial air transport hub.
But, in the image of its president, the Emirates remained relatively discreet on the international stage, generally placing itself behind its great ally, Saudi Arabia, a giant of the Gulf and the Arab world.
According to observers, it is under the impetus of the “MBZ” prince that the country progressively comes out of its usual discretion, especially since the 2010s by gaining increasing influence in the Middle East and Africa.