Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

DUBAI: A senior official in the UAE on Monday sought to reassure the country that the Gulf federation’s president is in good health despite suffering a stroke earlier this year.

Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan was quoted by state news agency WAM as saying Emirati President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan is fine and that information about his health shared on social media was just rumors.

Users of social media in recent days have called on Emiratis to pray for the president, who has not been seen publicly since he fell ill.

Sheikh Khalifa underwent emergency surgery after having a stroke in January. Little is known about the 66-year-old leader’s condition, which Sheikh Mohammed called “stable and reassuring” in February.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is next in line to succeed Khalifa, his half-brother. He plays an active role in the day-to-day running of the country and of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates.

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