UAE expresses solidarity with Lebanon, condemns 'treacherous attacks' by Iran

The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Beirut, Salem Fahd al-Kaabi, expressed Abu Dhabi’s solidarity with Lebanon on Saturday in a statement, after the country was hit by Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in the wake of the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran, and condemned the “treacherous attacks” of the Islamic Republic.

“The United Arab Emirates expresses its strongest condemnation and outrage at Iran’s treacherous attacks” against Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, the diplomat said, also noting the attacks – which Tehran denies launching – against Turkey and Azerbaijan. “The United Arab Emirates is exercising its right to self-defense in the face of this treacherous Iranian aggression, which involved launching more than 1,800 ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure and sites,” he added.

Fahd al-Kaabi went on to say that “the Emirates reaffirm their solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people during this critical stage, and confirm their steadfast commitment to supporting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, standing alongside the Lebanese people and supporting them to meet challenges and achieve their aspirations for security, development and prosperity.”

The ambassador stressed that “the United Arab Emirates welcome the Lebanese government’s decision to ban Hezbollah’s military and security activities, considering it an organization outside the legal framework, and requiring it to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state.” This measure is “a crucial step in the process of consolidating national security and stability,” the statement said.

“The Emirates reaffirm the importance of this decision to strengthen the sovereignty of the Lebanese state and to extend its authority over all its territory, and to consolidate its national institutions in accordance with the Taif Agreement and relevant international resolutions, which strengthens Lebanon’s ability to play an active role in its Arab, regional and international environment,” al-Kaabi concluded.