President of United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed, has died, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.
He died at the age of 73.
Bin Zayed had been grappling with illness for several years, and out of day-to-day state affairs.
The state news agency WAM reported this on Friday morning.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the UAE and the Islamic world… on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Friday, May 13,” WAM said.
Commenting on the tragic news, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said UAE lost a righteous son and leader.
The ministry announced 40 days of mourning with flags at half-mast from Friday, with work suspended in the public and private sector for the first three days.