The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen ties in the common interest of both GCC countries. Areas of common interest discussed included Gulf cooperation and action against regional challenges and the promotion of security, stability and development in the region.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed expressed his belief in the pivotal role that Saudi Arabia plays and his conviction that the Saudi Kingdom is the cornerstone for elevating the Arab region from the state of instability currently experienced. He added “t the Saudi leadership’s reading of the developments in the region is also our own reading”.
Other issues under discussion included the Arab Coalition efforts in Yemen to support the legitimate Yemeni government, anti-terrorism efforts, the Iranian nuclear deal, the situation in Syria and the Palestinian question as well as other regional and international common concerns.
Meanwhile, The United Arab Emirates will try 41 people on charges of seeking to overthrow the government to set up an ISIS group-style caliphate, prosecutors said on Sunday.
Such mass trials on terrorism charges are rare in the UAE which has largely been spared the Islamic militancy that has hit other Arab states.
The suspects, who include Emiratis as well as foreigners, are accused of setting up a group “with a terrorist, takfiri (Sunni Muslim extremist) ideology,” in a bid to “seize power and establish a caliphate,” the prosecutor general said in a statement carried by the official WAM news agency.
They are accused of setting up cells to train members in handling weapons and the manufacture of explosives in preparation for attacks on UAE soil.
Last month, the UAE adopted new legislation imposing heavy prison terms or even the death penalty for those convicted of membership of “takfiri” groups.
Source: Al Arabiya; AFP; WAM
