His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that His Highness the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan embodied the spirit of giving to his country because the well-being of UAE citizens was his main concern.

For more than 50 years, and from his position as Deputy Supreme Commander and then Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the late Sheikh Khalifa oversaw the process of building our armed forces and strengthening its capabilities, thus establishing security and safety, and provided comprehensive protection for the blessed march of the Union.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said in a statement: ”In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful, I mourn my brother, our head of state and our leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

“I knew Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed before the establishment of UAE and worked with him alongside our founding fathers Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid. Among his first responsibilities when the UAE was established, was launching empowerment programs, promoting development, building human capital, and establishing a global Emirati model of development.”

“The late Sheikh Khalifa's good deeds are too many to count. His character was that of dignity, morality, wisdom, nobility. This is great loss for our nation. we ask Allah Almighty to grant us solace and patience, and may his soul rest in peace.”