The US Vice President, Kamala Harris, flew in to Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon to offer her condolences to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Harris also conveyed the condolences of US President Joe Biden.
She led a delegation comprising US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and CIA Director William Burns.
In a tweet, Harris said Sheikh Khalifa was "a close friend of the US" and she said she travelled "to make clear we will continue to deepen our partnership under UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's leadership".
I traveled to the United Arab Emirates to express condolences on the passing Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who was a close friend of the U.S, and to make clear we will continue to deepen our partnership under UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s leadership. pic.twitter.com/Vj6liBXyNx
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Blinken, who joined Sheikh Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, for a business dinner to explore avenues of cooperation, also offered his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa and wished for continuing progress and prosperity for the UAE under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed.
.@VP Harris, @SecDef Austin and I offered our condolences to the leaders and people of the UAE today for the passing of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. We mourn his passing and honor his legacy.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 16, 2022