Harris instructed newshounds after the assembly she made the go back and forth on behalf of President Joe Biden and the American other folks, “to precise our condolences to a pal and a spouse, the United Arab Emirates,” and to supply congratulations to the brand new UAE president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa, whose modernization insurance policies helped turn into his nation right into a regional powerhouse, died on Friday on the age of 73.
Harris stated she reaffirmed america’ dedication to the “safety and prosperity on this area,” and that she spoke of “how the American other folks have benefited from this dating.”
The vp was once joined at the high-profile go back and forth by way of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director Invoice Burns and particular presidential envoy for local weather John Kerry.
The White Space stated the go back and forth would even be attended by way of US Embassy Abu Dhabi Chargé d’Affaires Sean Murphy; Harris nationwide safety adviser Phil Gordon; Nationwide Safety Council coordinator for the Center East and North Africa Brett McGurk; and NSC senior director for the Center East and North Africa Barbara Leaf.
The inclusion of a number of different most sensible Biden management officers within the delegation alerts an effort by way of america to ease fresh tensions between the 2 international locations, which grew after a drone assault on Abu Dhabi by way of Houthi rebels in January that left 3 lifeless. The UAE has driven to have the Biden management redesignate the Houthis as a 15 May Organization after Biden reversed the Trump-era designation.
Biden has known as the past due UAE chief “a real spouse and pal of the US.” He stated in a observation, “America is decided to honor the reminiscence of the past due president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan by way of proceeding to beef up the strategic partnership between our international locations over the approaching months and years.”
Sheikh Mohammed, his brother, was once unanimously elected president by way of the rustic’s Federal Excellent Council, in line with the UAE’s reliable information company. Sheikh Mohammed were broadly observed because the de facto chief of the UAE, dealing with day by day affairs for the Gulf state, whilst Sheikh Khalifa’s function were in large part ceremonial since he suffered a stroke and underwent surgical procedure in 2014.
