UAE Announces Three Day Mourning For Saudi King

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has mourned the death of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, praising him as a leader who was dedicated to serving his country and who united the Arab region.

King Abdullah, 90, passed away before dawn on Friday, and was succeeded by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In a statement posted by official news agency WAM, Sheikh Khalifa said: “We mourn the death of one of the most notable leaders of the Arab and muslim nation who generously gave a lot to his people and his nation and sincerely defended the causes of the Arab and muslim nation.

“As we express our sincere condolences to the Saudi royal family and the people of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the death of the great late king, Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, we express our full confidence that King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will continue his blessed march serving the causes of the nation and advance the Arab joint action.”

Sheikh Khalifa emphasised that the King was a great figure who never hesitated to serve the causes of his nation until the end of his life.

The UAE President also ordered a three-day mourning in the country, starting from Friday. The UAE national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government departments and at all UAE embassies and diplomatic missions overseas.

On behalf of the UAE President, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, went to Riyadh on Friday to join the funeral procession of King Abdullah.