ABU DHABI — UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs has expressed its condolences on the death of Ibrahim Al Abed, who passed away Tuesday morning. He was 78.

Al Abed was a prominent figure in the UAE media sector and the founder of the Emirates News Agency, WAM.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said, "In hearts that believe in God's judgment and destiny, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the late Ibrahim Al Abed, who passed away today."

The ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathies to the Al Abed family, asking Allah Almighty to grant them patience and solace to bear their loss.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said on Tuesday that he spent five decades working tirelessly for the country.

"Our condolences to [the] media sector in the UAE on the death of one of its founders, Ibrahim Al Abed," wrote Sheikh Mohammed on Twitter.

Mourning the loss of the country's towering media figure, UAE Prime Minister and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also the ruler of Dubai, said on Tuesday that he spent five decades working tirelessly for the country.

"Our condolences to (the) media sector in the UAE on the death of one of its founders, Ibrahim Al Abed," wrote Sheikh Mohammed on Twitter.

"He has spent five decades working tirelessly until the last day ... Our condolences to his family, loved ones and friends and to all media professionals in the UAE."

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said the country had lost someone of great stature who spent his life working for the UAE.

"Ibrahim Al Abed ... devoted his life ... to serving the nation. We will miss you," she said.

Sultan Al Qassemi, Sharjah's cultural figure who runs the Barjeel Art Foundation, said Al Abed's passing was a major loss for the country.

"I'm really saddened to learn of the passing .. today of Ibrahim Al Abed, a giant Emirati of Palestinian descent in the field of media and publishing," he said on Twitter.

"Al Abed had a way of rationalizing the world [and] UAE policies that was unlike anyone I had interacted with. He was fatherly and wise and even when I may have held other opinions I still took his advice." — SG