Abu Dhabi crown prince leads funeral of UAE ruler

Abu Dhabi's crown prince led the funeral for former UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

The body of Sheikh Khalifa was carried by military escort and handed over to mourners at the entrance to the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed the First Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Inside the mosque a service was led by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan before being continued at the burial site.

Mourners gathered round the graveside as the crown prince used his hands to shovel earth into the grave of his half-brother.

The UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs had previously announced a 40-day period of mourning and a three-day suspension of work in all ministries and the private sector beginning Friday, including flags to be flown at half-staff.

Sheikh Khalifa had suffered health problems since 2014 and had largely been out of the public eye.

He died aged 73.

Image: AP