US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday morning to offer his condolences after the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa.
He joins a host other world leaders and diplomats who have travelled to the emirate to express their grief, as well as to congratulate President, Sheikh Mohamed on his election.
Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris landed briefly in Germany on Monday morning, before continuing her journey to the UAE.
Ms Harris will lead the US delegation, which includes other high-level officials, such as Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, CIA director Bill Burns, climate envoy John Kerry, national security adviser to the vice president Philip Gordon, White House Middle East co-ordinator Brett McGurk, White House senior director for the Middle East and North Africa Barbara Leaf, and Charge d’Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi Sean Murphy.
The vice president's official plane, Air Force 2, stopped for about 90 minutes at the US-operated Ramstein airbase in Germany in the early hours of Monday for refuelling. It is expected to touch down in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon.
“I’m leading a delegation on behalf of the president and our administration to express our condolences," Ms Harris said before departing from the US military airport, Joint Base Andrews.
King Felipe VI of Spain walks with President Sheikh Mohamed at Abu Dhabi's Presidential Airport
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Israel's President Isaac Herzog, centre, Israel's Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel, second from right, and Israeli ambassador to the UAE, Amir Hayek, right.
Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Defence with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser, at Abu Dhabi's Presidential Airport
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, is received by President Sheikh Mohamed.
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, with President Sheikh Mohamed.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, with President Sheikh Mohamed.
The President, Sheikh Mohamed, receives condolences from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with Sheikh Mohamed. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia offers condolences to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Abdulla Al Neyadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Abdulla Al Neyadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco offers condolences to Sheikh Mohamed at the Presidential Airport. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Asaad bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister of Oman, third from right, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, fourth from left, offer condolences to Sheikh Mohamed. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
King Hamad of Bahrain, front right, and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, fifth from left, speak with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, left. Abdulla Al Neyadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Col Jaimie Norman, Military Assistant to the British Prime Minister, speaks with Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
The President, Sheikh Mohamed, receives Dr Muhammad Al Manfi, President of the Libyan Presidential Council. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
King Hamad of Bahrain walks with the President, Sheikh Mohamed. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
King Hamad of Bahrain and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad offer condolences to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa, adviser to the President, Sheikh Mohamed. Abdulla Al Neyadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, speaks with Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, offers condolences to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Emir of Qatar, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Asa'ad bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister of Oman, right, and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, third right, offer condolences to Sheikh Mohamed. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed receives a foreign delegate offering condolences. Abdulla Al Junaibi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives, with President Sheikh Mohamed.
Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, meets Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President.
Marzouq Al Ghanim, Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, with President Sheikh Mohamed.
Dr Nayef Falah Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council offers condolences to Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
Saudi Arabia's Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz with President Sheikh Mohamed.
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, with President Sheikh Mohamed.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, offers condolences to Sheikh Mohamed.
Hussein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council, centre, with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office.
King Felipe VI of Spain offers condolences to President Sheikh Mohamed at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed.
Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania, walks with Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, Minister of State, at the Presidential Airport.
Gen Mohamed Dagalo, Deputy leader of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Arab League Secretary General, offers his condolences to President Sheikh Mohamed.
"The United States takes quite seriously the strength of our relationship and partnership with the UAE and we are going there then to express our condolences but also as an expression of our commitment to the strength of that relationship and continuing to strengthen that relationship," a senior administration official said in a statement.
"The US vice president believes it is important to travel to Abu Dhabi and offer condolences in person to demonstrate the support of President Biden, the Biden-Harris Administration, and the American.
"Sheikh Khalifa was a longtime friend of the United States, and this delegation both honours his legacy and points confidently to the future of relations between the US and UAE.
"The Vice President looks forward to further strengthening the US-UAE partnership under Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership, and will emphasise the Biden-Harris administration’s intent to deepen bilateral ties across the fields of security, climate, space, technology, education, energy, and commerce," said the official.
“Sheikh Khalifa was a true partner and friend of the United States throughout his decades-long tenure as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and in his earlier role as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,” Mr Biden said.
The UAE is a top regional trading partner for the US, with more than $23 billion in total bilateral trade last year. It is also the single largest export market in the Middle East and North Africa region, and more than 1,000 US companies operate in the country. The UAE is the top Arab investor in the US, with close to $44.7bn invested, supporting more than 17,700 jobs, including in the renewables and semi-conductor sectors.
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
