UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
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UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has underscored his country’s support for Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty, a joint statement said Thursday.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The statement said that the UAE President expressed hope that the visit would deepen the fraternal relations between the two countries and advance their shared interests and aspirations for progress and prosperity.

Sheikh Mohamed said he was keen to work jointly with Lebanon to foster development, prosperity, security, and regional stability.

According to the statement, Aoun stressed he was ready to continue strengthening bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed ways to foster bilateral relations in various fields, and to develop economic and investment sectors, through joint opportunities, knowledge exchange, and government development.

The UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs will visit Beirut to share best practices in government performance and institutional excellence to benefit both countries’ public and private sectors, said the statement.

The two sides also agreed to allow travel for citizens by implementing necessary procedures and mechanisms to ease movement between the two countries.

Both sides expressed their aspiration to raise the level of mutual diplomatic representation and agreed to establish a joint UAE-Lebanon Business Council. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will send a delegation to Lebanon to explore and assess available joint cooperation projects.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed Lebanon’s strategic importance within the Arab world, affirming that Lebanon is a key pillar of joint Arab action.



World Leaders Express Solidarity with Qatar Following Iranian Attack

Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
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World Leaders Express Solidarity with Qatar Following Iranian Attack

Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)

In the wake of Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Arab and world leaders have expressed firm solidarity with the Qatari leadership, condemning the attack as a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and international law.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to convey the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the Iranian assault, reiterating Saudi Arabia’s full support for Qatar. He described the strike as a “blatant breach of Qatari airspace and sovereignty” and a serious threat to regional stability.

The Crown Prince stressed the need for restraint and a return to diplomatic channels.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also spoke with Sheikh Tamim, voicing full support for Qatar and praising its calm and measured response to the regional escalation. He reaffirmed Oman’s rejection of any act that undermines the sovereignty or stability of Gulf nations and called for dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

US President Donald Trump joined the growing list of leaders condemning the attack. In a phone call with the Qatari Emir, Trump reaffirmed America’s commitment to Qatar’s security and condemned Iran’s actions as a “grave violation of international law and the UN Charter.”

Qatar also received expressions of support from Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who labeled the attack a “dangerous violation” and affirmed Baghdad’s solidarity with Doha. Al-Sudani stressed Iraq’s rejection of any aggression threatening the security of regional nations and urged all parties to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi echoed similar sentiments in a phone call with Sheikh Tamim, voicing Cairo’s strong condemnation of the Iranian strike and declaring unwavering support for Qatar. He underscored the importance of maintaining regional stability and avoiding escalation.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who visited Doha on Tuesday, met with the Qatari Emir and reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for Qatar’s sovereignty. Salam condemned the attack as a serious threat to regional peace and extended his appreciation for Qatar’s consistent support to Lebanon during challenging times.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also joined in condemning the Iranian strike in separate phone calls with Sheikh Tamim. Both leaders expressed their nations’ solidarity with Qatar and stressed the need for diplomatic resolution and de-escalation.

In response, the Emir expressed deep gratitude for the broad regional and international solidarity, describing it as a testament to the strength of Qatar’s partnerships and the shared commitment to peace and stability in the Gulf.