UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed passes away

FILE PHOTO: United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan attends the opening session of the thirteenth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City December 14, 2009. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

DUBAI (Reuters) -United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has passed away, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said on Friday. He was also ruler of Abu Dhabi emirate.

"The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns to the UAE people, Arab and Islamic nations and the world the death of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away on Friday," the ministry said in a statement on state media without giving further details.