Three days of national mourning began yesterday following the death of Sheikh Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brother of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Nasser died when the helicopter he and his colleagues were travelling in crashed in the waters of the Gulf on Monday night.
Prayers for Sheikh Nasser and his colleagues have been performed across the UAE.
For the duration of mourning, flags will fly at half mast.
Sheikh Khalifa has received messages of condolence from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Rulers of each of the Northern Emirates.
A statement from the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, issued through the Wam news agency, said: "During the period of mourning on the occasion of the death of Sheikh Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan, work in all government departments and in the rest of the public sector and in the private sector will continue as normal, and there will be no closure of offices.
"The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced three days of official mourning for Sheikh Nasser and for his colleagues (peace be upon them). Offices in the government, public and private sectors will continue to work as normal."
Officials declined to immediately say what caused the crash that killed Sheikh Nasser, or how many people were in the aircraft. Sheikh Nasser, who was buried yesterday, did not hold official post. Sheikh Khalifa received condolences after the funeral. (With input from Wam and Agencies)
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