The United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bi Zayed Al Nahyan has died aged 73.

The Emirati state news agency WAM tweeted “The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced that there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half mast and three days closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels and the private sector" on Friday morning following his death.

Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bi Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, will act as president until the federal council consisting of rulers of seven emirates elects a new president as per the constitution.

Sheikh Khalifa was elected as the President of the United Arab Emirates in 2004, succeeding his father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was president of the UAE from 1971 to 2004.