Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, has died. The country’s president’s office said on Friday (May 13th). The UAE’s state news agency, WAM, confirmed the information. President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was 63 years old at the time of his death.

The UAE’s state-run news agency WAM said in a tweet that the ministry of presidential welfare had announced a 40-day state of mourning for the president’s death by halving the country’s flag. In addition to mourning, federal and local levels, ministries and public-private sector organizations will be closed for three days

Sheikh Khalifa established the United Arab Emirates as one of the modern states inhabited by people of different ethnic groups in the world. According to the UAE constitution, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the country’s vice-president and prime minister, will be acting interim president in the event of the president’s death. Sheikh Mohammed is currently the ruler of