United Arab Emirates (UAE) president Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke Friday and had to undergo surgery, according to a statement issued Saturday by the ministry of presidential affairs.

 

 The statement said that Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke Friday morning and “immediately underwent a surgical operation”. “His health is now stable. May God safeguard him and grant him a quick recovery," it added.

 

 Sheikh Khalifa, 65, assumed the UAE president's office in 2004.