The observation deck of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest tower – has been unexpectedly shut down, little more than a month after it opened.

Dubai is set to open the world’s tallest building amid tight security today, celebrating the tower as a bold feat on the world stage despite the city state’s shaky financial footing.

Dubai refused to cover the huge debts of its commercial subsidiary company today despite a record fall on its stock market.

Debt-swamped Dubai today asked for a six-month reprieve on paying its bills, causing a drop on world markets.

Property prices in the once red-hot Middle East boomtown of Dubai plunged 41% in the first three months of this year.

BURJ Dubai, the world’s tallest building since July, has become the world’s tallest free-standing structure, reaching 1,822 feet, the developers said.

UK civil engineering group Balfour Beatty has started work on a £400m (€574.2m) contract to build the world’s biggest shopping centre, it said today.

Dubai Bank has selected Dublin-based payment firm Trintech to manage its card processing requirements.