President Sheikh Mohamed pays tribute to Sheikh Khalifa as mourning period ends

Sheikh Mohamed hailed late president as enduring symbol of generosity, goodwill and humanitarianism

The mourning period for Sheikh Khalifa ended on Tuesday night. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags on public buildings across the UAE were raised at 9am on Wednesday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags had remained at half-staff for 40 days.

Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13, aged 73.

President Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE would “continue to be inspired” by the contributions of Sheikh Khalifa as the country marked the end of 40 days of mourning his death.

Flags on public buildings were raised at 9am on Wednesday, after the Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced that the 40-day period had drawn to a close on Tuesday night.

“As a nation, we continue to be inspired by the life and example of the late Khalifa bin Zayed,” said Sheikh Mohamed.

He said Sheikh Khalifa, who had led the Emirates since 2004, “will forever remain an enduring symbol of generosity, goodwill and humanitarianism”.

“May his soul rest in peace,” said Sheikh Mohamed in a tribute posted on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

He posted the message alongside a video honouring Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13 at the age of 73.

Work across the country was suspended for three days immediately after his death, flags were lowered to half-staff and life in the UAE took on a more sombre tone.

Sheikh Khalifa was the country's second president after Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father.

Sheikh Mohamed was elected President by the Federal Supreme Council last month.

Leaders, dignitaries and officials from all over the world travelled to the UAE in the days after Sheikh Khalifa's death to pay tribute to him and to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed on his election.

Sheikh Khalifa remembered — in pictures