Saudi Crown Prince congratulates UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in phone call

Mohammed Bin Salman prays for security, prosperity, stability and prosperity

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of many world leaders who paid their respects after Sheikh Khalifa's death. SPA

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman, one of several world leaders to wish him well after he became UAE President on Saturday.

He was elected to the position after the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

Prince Mohammed congratulated Sheikh Mohamed and the people of the UAE on his election, and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant more security, prosperity, stability and prosperity to the Emirates.

Sheikh Mohamed thanked the Saudi Crown Prince for his sincere message and wished the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people progress and prosperity.

Although the two men didn't meet in person, many regional leaders did travel to Abu Dhabi to offer condolences to the President.

These included Sultan Haitham, the Ruler of Oman, Jordan's King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Dr Barham Salih, the Iraqi President.

Several other world leaders stated their intention to come to the Emirates to pay their respects, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Vice President Kamala Harris, newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Sheikh Khalifa's death was announced on Friday by the state news agency Wam.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs said there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half-staff, and three days of closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels as well as the private sector.

The official mourning period began on Saturday with normal working hours resuming on Tuesday.