Dubai, Jan. 5th, 2006 (WAM)--A high ranking British delegationarrived here on Thursday to convey the condolences of Queen ElizabethII and Prime Minister Tony Blair on the demise of Sheikh Maktoumbin Rashid Al Maktoum, who died in Australia yesterday.

The Duke of Gloucester, representing the Queen and the Royalfamily, and Dr. Kim Howells, Minister of State in the ForeignOffice, representing the Government, delivered condolence messagesfrom the Queen and from Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Al Maktoumfamily and UAE leaders.

Sheikh Maktoum was laid to rest today in a solemn funeral,which was attended by President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin ZayedAl Nahyan, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council members andRulers of the Emirates, a number of world leaders and dignitaries.