President Solih departs on official visit to UAE

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has departed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an official visit.

The president departed from Velana International Airport (VIA) on Sunday.

The President’s trip carries the purpose of joining the bereaved family of the late President of the middle-eastern country, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in their mourning.

President Solih will convey his condolences and sympathies in person to the family during the visit.

He will return to Maldives on Monday.

The late President of the UAE, Emir of Abu Dhabi and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces 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.

President Solih on Friday announced the decision to fly the national flag of Maldives at half-mast in honor of the late UAE President, for a period of three days.

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.

The Maldivian president describes Sheikh Khalifa as a visionary leader and a close friend of Maldives.

President Solih earlier offered his sincere condolences to the half-brother of the later UAE President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the royal family as well as the people of UAE, through a Twitter post.

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 on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa.

The foreign minister prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the late President of UAE, the highest ranks of Jannat.