Sheikh Mohamed accepts condolences from UAE rulers after death of Sheikh Khalifa

New President receives visitors at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives condolences from the UAE leaders; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, following the death of Sheikh Khalifa. All photos: MOPA

The rulers met Sheikh Mohamed at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohammed offers condolences to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region.

Sheikh Mohammed described Sheikh Khalifa as a dedicated leader who served and loved his people.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receive condolences from Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid expresses his condolences to Sheikh Mohamed as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohamed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, look on.

Sheikh Mohamed and other UAE leaders receive mourners.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

UAE leaders gathered in Abu Dhabi to pay tribute to Sheikh Khalifa, who died at the age of 73.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, receives condolences from the Crown Prince of Dubai.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi with Sheikh Mohamed.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, left, receives condolences.

Sheikh Khalifa has been hailed as generous, kind, wise, respectful and loyal leader.

Sheikh Mohamed said the people of the UAE were united in grief as they mourned the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Dr Sultan said Sheikh Khalifa was dedicated to his country, his religion, his nation and the world.

The President, Sheikh Mohamed, on Saturday accepted the condolences of the UAE rulers following the death of Sheikh Khalifa, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed was visited by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and the other rulers at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

These are: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The rulers expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the sons of Sheikh Khalifa, the Al Nahyan family and the people of the UAE.

Also present to offer condolences were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Mualla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah.

Also offering condolences were Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed; Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser.

Also among those offering condolences were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Theyab bin Zayed; Sheikh Omar bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination; Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, Adviser to the UAE President; Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, Member of the Executive Council; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs; and Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

Condolences were also offered by a number of sheikhs, ministers, senior civil and military officials, and citizens and residents.

The reception follows the funeral of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday night. Sheikh Mohamed led prayers at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is in mourning for 40 days following the death of Sheikh Khalifa, with government and private sector offices closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Schools will be closed on Monday.

Public and private sector employees will return to work on Tuesday. Restaurants and malls will remain open but there will be no live entertainment or music as a mark of respect.

Sheikh Mohamed was elected the country's President on Saturday.

The official announcement followed a meeting in Abu Dhabi of the rulers of the Emirates.

He becomes the third president in the country's history following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

Prayers for Sheikh Khalifa — in pictures