Morocco Declares 3-Day Mourning Period for UAE President Sheikh Khalifa

In a statement, the Royal Cabinet informs that King Mohammed VI spoke with his brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, after the death of the Emirati President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

During this call, the sovereign "has again expressed, on behalf of Morocco, king, government and people", to the Crown Prince and through him to his illustrious princely family and the fraternal Emirati people, "his heartfelt condolences and his sincere feelings of compassion following this cruel loss of an Arab leader, noble and brave, linked to Morocco by strong ties of brotherhood and esteem".

On this painful occasion, King Mohammed VI "has given his high instructions to decree an official three-day mourning period in the Kingdom, starting from Friday, May 13, 2022, with the national flag flown at half-mast on government buildings, administrations and public places, as well as on Moroccan embassies and consulates abroad," the same source continues.

"The Kingdom of Morocco, while sharing the pain of the illustrious princely family and the fraternal Emirati people following this cruel loss, the divine will being implacable, implores the Most High to grant them patience and comfort, to surround the venerated deceased with His holy mercy and to welcome him into His vast paradise. We belong to God and to Him we return," the statement concludes.