The Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid Al-Maktum, who has been also the Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai passed away this morning according to an announcement made today by Presidential Affairs Ministry. The announcement said the UAE lost a historical leader who had been contributing all his life for the development of the country. It added that an official mourning was announced in the UAE and flags will be put at half-mast for the next forty days and all the governmental offices will be closed for seven days starting from today.