UAE backs Saudi Arabia, rejects Iran's interference

The United Arab Emirates has warned that threat of terrorist organisations, most notably Daesh and aI-Qaeda-affiliated groups, transcends geographical boundaries and is a risk not only for this region but for all states and communities, UAE news agency (WAM) reported. 


This stance was made by the UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he delivered his country's speech at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last night . 

He stressed that the UAE has played an effective role in international efforts to help affected countries to confront these threats. He said the country has been committed to supporting regional and international efforts aiming at combating extremism and terrorism through cooperation and coordination with regional and international partners.

In this context, he commended AI-Azhar institution for its longstanding tradition in confronting extremist ideologies, and reiterated the principled position of the UAE to stand by Egypt. 

The UAE foreign minister said, the recent political and economic achievements of the Government of Egypt are major steps towards its recovery, and positively assist the recovery and stability of the region.

On Yemen, he said, We also regard the restoration of full control of Bab AI-Mandab by the coalition forces and the Yemeni people yesterday and defeating the rebels, as another military success in securing this vital sea lane. It further marks the end of the control of the rebels and their supporters, while demonstrating their weakening presence in other strategic areas in Yemen.

We seek, with the international community, to restore the political process in Yemen in accordance with the agreed parameters, most importantly the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanism.

He affirmed the UAE's continued support for the Arab Coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Yemeni people to restore stability. He said the UAE is committed to supporting humanitarian efforts in Yemen. 

On Libya, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed expressed the UAE's deep concern over the ongoing tension and instability there, which, he said, represent a major threat to security and stability in the region. The UAE stresses the need to lift the ban imposed on the capabilities of the elected Libyan Government to enable it to fight Daesh and other terrorist organizations and respond to trans-boundary threats.

On Syria, the UAE foreign minister said the Security Council must fulfill its principal mandate and reach a consensus on a settlement for the Syrian crisis to ensure a political transition and the formation of a new government, which encompasses all components of the Syrian society. He also stressed the importance of the international community continuing to deliver humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

The UAE affirms its humanitarian commitment to supporting the Syrian people and alleviating their suffering, he said. 

On Iraq, he renewed the UAE's support for the efforts of the Iraqi government towards achieving peace and stability and ending sectarian practices, and stress in this context the importance of implementing reforms to ensure inclusiveness, fairness and equality for all segments and components of the Iraqi society.

Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed reiterated the United Arab Emirates' rejection of Iran's continued occupation of the UAE three islands Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. 

On the Palestinian issue, the UAE foreign minister warned of the feelings of injustice and frustration resulting from the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the flagrant human rights violations committed by the occupation forces, provide extremist groups with an opportunity to exploit these serious humanitarian conditions and to spread their radical thinking and incite frustrated youth to implement their destructive agenda.

Commenting on the Iranian President’s speech at UN General Assembly, the UAE Foreign Minister said that Iran's record does not qualify it to speak about the safety of the Hajj pilgrims and human rights, nor do its policies give it the right to refer to stability issues in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates stands firm with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any Iranian attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Arab States, he also said.