SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani expressed condolence on Wednesday to the United Arab Emirates on the passing of finance minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“My heartfelt condolences to the United Arab Emirates and @HHShkMohd on the passing of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry. My thoughts and prayers are with the people and leadership of the UAE during this difficult time,” the Region’s president said in a tweet.
Sheikh Hamdan, 75, was the brother of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. He had been unwell for some months and had surgery abroad in October, according to Reuters.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s passing. My deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, the government and the people of the UAE. His legacy of dedication to serving his country will live on,” the Kurdish prime minister said in a separate tweet.
Dubai announced 10 days of mourning with flags to be flown at half-mast and a closure of government institutions in the emirate for three days as of Thursday.
In 2008, Dubai’s ruler established the line of succession in the emirate by naming his son Hamdan, 38, as crown prince. His other son Maktoum is also a deputy ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan had been the UAE’s finance minister since 1971. The UAE also has a minister of state for financial affairs, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, who has held the post since 2008.
The emirate, part of the UAE federation, is the Middle East’s business, trade and tourism hub.
*This story was updated at 04:45 p.m. EBL time
