UAE Supports Palestinian People: UAE PresidentPresident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Saturday, December 2, called on Arab countries to take combined actions against Israel while reiterating UAE's support for the Palestinian people.Zayed made the call in a meeting with visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. During the meeting, Arafat briefed Zayed on the situation in the Palestinian territories and the "naked Israeli aggression" against the Palestinian people, according to the official WAM news agency. The ongoing clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces that erupted on September 28 has killed over 280 people, mostly Palestinians, and injured thousands of others. For his part, Zayed noted that the strength of the Arabs hinged on their unity and concerted effort in dealing with their crucial issues, stressing that "the Arab accord and solidarity are a victory for the Arabs. They give them political weight and respect in the world." He also said "the defence of the holy places are a duty on every Muslim individual. It is also incumbent on any brother to stand by his brother at time of hardship. The enemy will reconsider its position a thousand times when the Arabs are united." Zayed called upon the world community to provide international protection for the Palestinians in the face of the barbaric Israeli aggression while urging an effective international participation in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations alongside the US. The US should exert sincere efforts to find a just solution for the Palestinian problem, he added. He urged Arabs to continue their support for the Palestinian cause until they gain their legitimate rights and establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as the capital. After the UAE, Arafat was due in Yemen before returning to Gaza City Sunday. |
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