Mourners pay their respects

Dubai: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received yesterday more condolences on the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

With Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, of Fujairah and Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, along their side, Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad received President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and his accompanying delegation, and His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad also received Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, and Sa'ad Al Hariri, head of the Future Bloc in the Lebanese Parliament.

Along with Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad to receive condolences were Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, a number of Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, shaikhs and several senior officials.

Shaikh Mohammad also received other dignitaries offering condolences.

With Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed by his side, Shaikh Mohammad received Shaikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, accompanied by a delegation of Al Sabah family, who offered condolences on behalf of His Highness Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.

Shaikh Mohammad also received Philippe Douste-Blazy, French Foreign Minister, Tony Wein, US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Trade Affairs, and other dignitaries.

Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad received cables of condolences which continued to arrive from world leaders and senior officials.

Shaikh Mohammad also received a phone call from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman, who offered his sincere condolences.

Meanwhile, UAE missions in various countries continued to accept condolences.

FROM THE UN
Annan expresses deep sadness

Kofi Annan, UN General-Secretary, expressed his deep sadness at the demise of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and offered his sincere condolences to the UAE Government and people.

In statement received by the Foreign Ministry yesterday, Annan said Shaikh Maktoum will be remembered for his wise leadership, which helped the UAE and GCC achieve stability and prosperity.

Annan stressed his continued support for His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and wished him success.