UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan dies today aged 73

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates President whose modernization policies helped transform his country into a regional powerhouse, died on Friday aged 73, state media WAM said.

"The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourn the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the whole world. The leader of the nation and the patron of its march, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, passed away to the Lord's side today, Friday, May 13," WAM said. 

"The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announces an official mourning and flags to be flown at half-mast for the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, for a period of 40 days, starting today, and suspending work in ministries, departments, federal and local institutions, and the private sector for 3 days, starting today (Friday)," WAM said in a tweet. 

Sheikh Khalifa's role had been largely ceremonial since he suffered a stroke and underwent surgery in 2014. His brother and Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, has been widely seen as the de-facto leader of the UAE, handling day-to-day affairs for the Gulf state. 

Sheikh Khalifa was appointed as the second president of the UAE in 2004, succeeding his father and founder of the nation, Sheikh Zayed al Nahyan. Born in 1948 in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed. Prior to his role as president, he was crown prince of Abu Dhabi and headed Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council, which drafts oil policy. 

As president he headed one of the largest investment funds in the world, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, managing hundreds of billions of dollars in assets. 

One of the world's tallest buildings, the Burj Khalifa, took on his name after the UAE government bailed Dubai out of its debt, and as a sports fan he supported the acquisition of English Premier League soccer club Manchester City.

Sheikh Khalifa had rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2014. His brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed has been considered the de facto ruler of the country since then.

• No successor has been named, but it is widely expected that Mohammed bin Zayed will be appointed to the top post.

Flashback: Sheikh Khalifa was the eldest son of the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan.

• He assumed office in 2004 when Sheikh Zayed died. Since suffering a stroke, Sheikh Khalifa had been in poor health.

What's next: Sheikh Khalifa's funeral will begin Saturday and last three days, the UAE ministry of presidential affairs announced.

• There will be a 40-day official mourning period, according to the announcement.
• The rulers of the seven emirates that form the federation are expected to meet and vote on the appointment of the new president in the coming weeks.
• It's only the second succession process in the UAE since the country was founded more than 50 years ago.

Toyeen B's World: Meet UAE's newly elected president, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.