The national flag of Maldives is to be flown at half-mast in honor of the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the decision on Friday.

As such, it has been declared that the national flag will be flown at half-mast from May 14 – 16, in mourning for the late President of UAE.

Maldives is to observe a three-day mourning period , while joining world leaders across the globe to mourn the death of the late Sheikh Khalifa.

Earlier, President Solih offered condolences to the bereaved family, highlighting that Sheikh Khalifa was a visionary leader and a close friend of Maldives.

President Solih also offered sincere condolences to the half-brother of the UAE President, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the royal family as well as the people of UAE.

Further, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, who is also the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdulla Shahid also offered his sincere condolences to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of UAE, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as the government and people of UAE , following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa.

The President of UAE passed away at 73 years of age, on Friday, after battling illness for many years.

According to UAE state media, the middle-eastern country’s flag is to be flown half-mast for 40 days after the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of UAE declared 40 days of mourning within which a three-day work suspension is in effect from Friday to both the public and private sectors.

Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father as the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi and assumed his presidential term in November 2004.