The United Arab Emirates's long-time de facto ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as president on Saturday, following the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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Bin Zayed's widely expected ascension thus formalizes his position as leader of the Gulf kingdom, which is home to 10 million people.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan died aged 73 on Friday after battling illness for several years.
"The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the UAE and the Islamic world opn the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Friday, May 13," state news agency WAM said.
The kingdom announced a 40-day mourning period. Flags nationwide were lowered to half-mast staff and work at all government ministers and the private sector was suspended for three days.
"The UAE has lost a loyal son, and the leader of its blessed empowerment journey," the crown prince twitted after his brother's death was officially announced. "Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, supporter and mentor, may Allah Almighty grant you eternal peace."
The late head of state suffered a stroke in 2014 and was rarely seen in public, leaving Mohamed bin Zayed, his half-brother, at the country's helm. Colloquially known as MbZ, the 61-year-old crown prince propelled his country's meteoric rise on the international scene even more than his brother, emerging as a savvy statesman.
World and Arab leaders from the US, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, France, Oman, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority sent condolences to the United Arab Emirates, as did the heads of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
"Sheikh Khalifa's legacy and tremendous deeds are greatly admired in Israel," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement. "The State of Israel stands alongside the United Arab Emirates at this difficult time."
President Isaac Herzog called the Emirati ruler's death "a great loss for our friends in the UAE and for the whole region."
"Sheikh Khalifa's bold leadership contributed so much to the advancement of the UAE and its people and to the growing partnership between our countries and is a great legacy for his successors," he said.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid also expressed his condolences and congratulated the crown prince on his election as UAE president.
Lapid expressed confidence that MbZ "will continue the ways of his father and brother who established a state. He has demonstrated his leadership in reshaping the face of the Middle East for partnership, peace, and cooperation for the good of future generations. The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with his vision for a better world and brotherhood between our peoples."
On behalf of the people of Israel I send my deepest condolences to my friend Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and his family on the death of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This is a great loss for our friends in the UAE and for the whole region.
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) May 13, 2022
US President Joe Biden said the late Sheikh Khalifa "was a true partner and friend of the United States. We will honor his memory by continuing to strengthen the longstanding ties between the governments and people of the United States and the United Arab Emirates."
In a statement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described Sheikh Khalifa "as a true friend of the United States," adding that the US remains committed to its steadfast friendship and cooperation with the UAE. Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed her condolences.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sheikh Khalifa, adding he was a "wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said that he "mourns one of the most precious men and one of the greatest leaders, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan." El-Sissi continued to say that the UAE leader was known for his giving nature, offering abundantly to his nation and people.
PM Bennett: On my behalf and that of the Government and citizens of Israel, I express condolences to my friend Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Gov. & people of the UAE on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2022
Pakistani Politician Maryam Nawaz tweeted, "With the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Pakistan has lost a great friend who has stood with it through thick and thin. My condolences and prayers for the people and members of the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates."
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the country's Foreign Finister Hossein Amirabdollahian also expressed condolences.
Sheikh Khalifa was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, widely revered by Emiratis as the country's founding father. The federation recently marked its 50th anniversary.
Though he had been out of public sight since his stroke, Sheikh Khalifa's image was ubiquitous, gracing every hotel lobby and major government office across the country. On occasion, Emirati state media published rare photographs and videos of Sheikh Khalifa.
The president holds the most powerful position among the seven semi-autonomous city-states of the UAE, which stretches along the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Historically, the president is from Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest of the seven emirates. The vice president and the prime minister is from Dubai, titles currently held by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
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