Mother of UAE president dies

The mother of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has died, the UAE authorities announced Sunday.

Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed passed away on Sunday, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said in a statement, giving no further details.

"His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, mourns the death of Her Highness the late Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, who moved on to her Lord today," the statement read.

The ministry announced a three-day mourning period as of Sunday over the mother's death.

Sheikha Hessa was the first wife of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first UAE president.