Dear Saeed /

It is with deep sorrow that I have just seen on the news that the ruler H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has died

My personal thoughts and condolences to Saeed all the family friends & countrymen

Peter

I also present my deepest condolences. I am confused however. I understood the it was the Vice President and Prime Minister: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum who has died. It would appear then that it is a relative of Saeed's who has died, if the names are an accurate approach to understanding relatives. Saeed, please take heart in that we all regret such a loss.

Wink you are correct it is indeed H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who passed away this morning.

I just recently returned from Dubai and have come to understand that he was instrumental in making the U.A.E. what it is today.

Saeed, please accept our condolences for your loss.

Saeed,

My deepest condolances to you and family at this time, my friend...

Michael

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Maktoum dies

The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died aged 62 while visiting Australia, the president's office said. Sheikh Maktoum was also the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven Gulf states.

He was staying at a luxury hotel on Queensland's Gold Coast when he died.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, his brother, succeeded him as ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed has been the UAE defence minister since 1971 and heir apparent to the throne of Dubai since 1995.

He has been largely responsible for the phenomenal growth and development of the city in recent years, but with Sheikh Maktoum's blessing.

'Historical leader'

"The United Arab Emirates today lost a historical leader who devoted his life to establishing the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its structure and the welfare of its people," said a statement from the UAE's presidency.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs from the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi said Sheikh Maktoum had "placed his country's interest over any other considerations".

"He was a model of good behaviour," the statement added.

Forty days of national mourning have been declared.

Sheikh Maktoum maintained a low profile, preferring to allow his younger brothers to run the daily affairs of Dubai.

The statement did not indicate the cause of death of Sheikh Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed has been Dubai's heir apparent since 1995

Queensland Police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey said the Dubai ruler died at the Palazzo Versace hotel, where rooms cost up to $2,600 per night.

He had arrived in Australia on 28 December.

Sheikh Maktoum's body is expected to be flown back to Dubai from Brisbane on his private Boeing 747-400 later on Wednesday.

The BBC's Julia Wheeler in Dubai says Sheikh Maktoum was well-liked in Dubai and his death will come as a shock to many.

But his death is unlikely to change the direction of policy either in Dubai or in the UAE, our correspondent says.

Internationally, Sheikh Maktoum was known as co-owner of Dubai's Godolphin stables, which competes in major horse races.


Background on the UAE

Biography of Sheikh Maktoum

Saeed,

Please accept my deepest condolances to you and family.

My deepest condolances to you and your family.

Saeed, our thoughts are with you during these trying times.

Saeed:

My condolences on your loss.

Saeed,

So sorry to hear of this. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Saeed,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time of loss.

My deepest condolances to you and your family.

My deepest condolances to you and family.
Starcharvski

the world has lost a visionary leader- a rare thing today. Our prayers go with you

Saeed,

Our thoughts and small prayers are with you and yours today.

Please also accept my sincere condolences.

Gentlemen,

Thank you all very much for your condolences.

Sheikh Maktoum was a much loved ruler, and an extremely modest person. He continued the old Beduin tradition of being accessible to everyone.

We will all miss him.

Saeed,

Just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Saeed, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, God bless.

My heartfelt prayers are for you and your families as well as your countrymen. Always remember to rejoice in his memory.
Frank

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was touched by this person.

My condolences as well.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family in this trying time.

Saeed,

My condolences to you and your family.

I just saw the news here. please accept my heartfelt condolences

Saeed,

My condolences to you and your family. A great man who will never be forgotten.

Saeed,

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. As we say in Greece, "may his memory be eternal".

My deepest condolances to you and your family.

Ian

Words cannot do much besides let you know that we're thinking of you today. My deepest condolences.

Saeed: My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Saeed!

I am sorry to hear of your and your familys loss. My condolences to you and your family.

465H&H

Saeed,
Very sorry to hear of this horrible loss.
Please accept my deepest condolances to you and family.

Saeed--my condolences to you and your family--chris

Saeed,

Please accept my deepest condolences to you and family.

Doyle Hufstedler

Saeed, I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my sympathy and condolences.

MR

I think it was October of 1998 when me and some friends were dining at the Dubai Hyatt. We had just finished and were waiting for another guy to come down from the head (it's upstairs and a long way from the resteraunt).

Up rolls a calvacade of motorcycles, and a big Humvee. I looked at the photos on the wall and outstepped the same man.

He was dining with the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and some other friends. The Hyatt staff told me she was a local newscaster. Security wasn't lax but it wasn't enough for the ruler of a nation.

My sincerest condolances. The man made the Dubai I knew in 1998 into the Dubai I loved in 2005. And the place was beautiful in 1998 and continues to get better with each trip.

You need to see the Grand Hyatt and the Bur Jal Arab hotels. Nothing quite like either one.

Saeed, my condolences&sympathy to you &your family.

Always a sad situation when a family member passes on.
My condolences.

Saeed and family,
My deepest condolences with your loss. May GOD bring peace in your hearts in this difficult time.