Qassimi, believed to have been in his late 90s, ruled the northern emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah for more than 60 years, dating back to before the UAE's inception in 1971. He had been in hospital for several months and his funeral took place after afternoon prayers. His 54-year-old son and crown prince, Sheikh Saud, has been named as the new ruler, the state news agency WAM reported, and the Supreme Council, made up of the rulers of the UAE's seven emirates, offered him their “full support”. Saud has effectively led Ras Al-Khaimah, the closest emirate geographically to Iran. The UAE Federal Supreme Council has expressed its support to Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi on succeeding his father, the late Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al-Qassimi, as Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. In a statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Council expressed its full support for Saud as Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah as he continues his father's legacy of supporting the UAE and his fellow Supreme Council members and rulers.Yousef Obaid Al-Nuaimi, a member of the UAE's Federal National Council, told Reuters the succession process had been smooth. “The country's leadership supported this transfer (of power) which took place smoothly. There are no problems,” he said. Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the poorer emirates of the UAE, sits on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil passes. The emirate's economy is based on industries like cement, pharmaceuticals and glass, and it is building a regional manufacturing and shipping hub. Its gross domestic product accounts for 1.5 percent of the UAE's economy. The UAE federal government announced an official mourning period of a week with flags at half mast at government ministries and institutions. Ras Al-Khaimah local government offices will be closed for a week and those in the emirates of Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain will be closed for three days from Thursday.
