In another case at the same airport, officials apprehended five foreign nationals who tried to smuggle gold worth Rs.24.4 million
asia3 hours ago
Shaikh Khalifa, speaking on the eve of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2009) which opens at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Sunday, added, “We will forge ahead with our drive to back our strategic plans and modernisation of our armed forces and boosting their defence capabilities.”
The President underscored the point that, as part of its overall military strategy, the UAE will acquire an advanced “deterrent defence force to protect the nation, its people and gains”.
“We are a peace-loving nation… however, we believe that peace always needs the force that protects it and the powerful — who are capable of response and deterrence — are the real defenders of peace. We will continue to put every possible effort to maintain the defence combating competence which our armed forces have reached,” Shaikh Khalifa said
“Our efforts will go forward steadily to make a real qualitative leap that enables our armed forces to reach the highest standards of competence, preparedness and efficiency,” he said.
The UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has categorically reassured that “the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) has no hostile agenda against any country in the region or world”.
“Peace and stability in the region are the main pillars of the (six) GCC countries’ policies. We are not looking forward to building formidable armies heavily equipped to attack or wage wars against others.”
Shaikh Mohammed said the top priority was to protect the GCC’s independence, unity, economy and human resources.
The GCC countries, he said, display a high degree of defence and security coordination when “security and political developments” arise in the region and the world.
However, Shaikh Mohammed regretted Arab countries had not yet achieved an understanding to set up a unified Arab market, let alone setting up defence industries.
Arab economic unity, he advocated, would be the key to all social and security problems He also strongly refuted the suggestion from some experts that holding defence exhibitions could ignite an arms race in the region.
Idex 2009 will last till February 26.
The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, received a message from the UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, covering bilateral ties and issues of common interest.
The message was delivered in Teheran on Saturday by Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, at a meeting with the Iranian leader.
With inputs from Wam
In another case at the same airport, officials apprehended five foreign nationals who tried to smuggle gold worth Rs.24.4 million
asia3 hours ago
More than 2,000 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested in the past two weeks across the US
americas3 hours ago
Fireballs and Smash tied for the lead in the team event at the $25 million 54 hole tournament
sports3 hours ago
The hosts strengthened their chances of securing a slot in the semifinals with a 70-run victory in Abu Dhabi
sports4 hours ago
The group has a presence in five countries and eyes further geographic expansion, especially in India
markets4 hours ago
The severity of the situation gradually eased from Thursday evening, when it receded in the north and east of the country
weather5 hours ago
Cyclone Hidaya is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds and powerful and dangerous waves in the flood-ravaged country
africa5 hours ago
Dror Or's wife Yonat was killed in the October 7 attack and two of their three children were abducted and then freed in November
mena5 hours ago