Amir mourns "great leader" Sheikh Khalifa * Kuwait suspends work for 3 days

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has passed away on Friday May 13th, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) announced. The Ministry of Presidency Affairs has declared a state of mourning and flying flags at half mast for 40 days starting Friday. Work at ministries, state departments and private sector institutions will be suspended for three days starting Friday, it announced.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed heartfelt condolences on passing of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying the Arab and Islamic nations lost "a great leader" who dedicated his life for the service of his people, as well as defending Arab and Islamic causes.

His Highness the Amir extended deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of Kuwait in cables of condolences to UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rahsed Al-Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed forces Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, their families and the people of the UAE.

The State of Kuwait, in a grieve over the demise of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, "will always remember his honorable positions towards the (Kuwaiti) just causes during the Iraqi invasion," said His Highness the Amir.He prayed to Allah the Almighty to bestow the UAE people with solace, and commended the development that took place during the reign of the deceased which contributed to advancement of the nation. His Highness the Amir announced a 40-day mourning period, flags flown at half-mast and government departments would be off duty for three days starting Friday, May 13.

His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent cables of condolences for Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed and Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed over the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince expressed condolences for the Emirati people, describing the deceased as "a great leader" who was a staunch defender of Arab and Islamic causes.His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince also praised the "honorable" position of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed towards Kuwait's just causes during the Iraqi invasion, and commended his contribution to the development of the UAE. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables.

The State of Kuwait mourned the passing of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday. Kuwait announced an official state of mourning and flying flags at half mast for 40 days starting Friday. Work at the public sector will be suspended for three days, according to a Kuwait Cabinet statement. Work will resume on Monday, the Civil Service Commission said.

Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem expressed "deepest condolences to the leadership and people" of the United Arab Emirates on the passing of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.