ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday paid rich tributes to late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as a sagacious leader of the Muslim world and said the Pakistani nation had lost a great friend.

"The entire Pakistani nation is mourning the loss of a great friend; it is a tremendous loss," he said before leaving for the UAE to attend the funeral of the late leader and founder of the United Arab Emirates.

The president said Pakistan was observing three days of mourning as Sheikh Zayed had great love for and long affiliation with Pakistan.

"The entire Pakistani nation condoles with the UAE on this loss of the widely-respected leader," said the president and prayed for him.

"It's not only a loss for Pakistan, but I consider it a personal loss because I used to benefit from his wisdom; he was a very wise man and great leader."

CONDOLENCE BOOK: The embassy of the United Arab Emirates has placed a condolence book at its premises for the next three days (up to Nov 5).