Military’s role in protecting UAE stressed

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has assured commanders and senior officers of the Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, security departments, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a number of UAE ambassadors to sisterly and friendly countries, of the good health of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

General Shaikh Mohammed greets Lt-General Hamad Thani Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mohammed Ahmad Al Bowardi (centre), Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Defence, during a reception at Al Bateen Palace. —Wam

Gen Shaikh Mohammed also underlined the importance of the UAE military, police and security institutions in protecting the nation and consolidating the pillars of security, stability and safety, and of UAE diplomacy in bolstering the international stature and reputation of the country.

Gen Shaikh Mohammed was speaking at his majlis at Al Bateen Palace where he received senior officers and officials on the occasion of the holy month of Ramdan. Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region; Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Shaikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Shaikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs (ZHO); Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

“Each one of you represents the UAE in your particular jurisdiction, and reflects the UAE’s perfection both as a state and society, of its work and plan for fulfilling its ambitions. We rely on you and the loyal people of the nation to take care of the young generation, open doors for them, be patient with them, enhance their confidence, share your knowledge and experience with them and consolidate their values of loyalty, love for the nation and dedication is serving the nation, as you all do all of the aforementioned part of your daily life by word and deed,” Gen Shaikh Mohammed told his guests.

“The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, through his ongoing initiatives and directives continues what the founding fathers wanted to achieve for this state: Seeing the people of the UAE as one united family that is clinging to the teaching of its tolerant religion and national fixed principles in order to face all that targets its creed, unity and its humanitarian approach of the love of benevolence, peace, security and stability for all humanity.”

Presenting his vision for the process of development in the UAE, Gen Shaikh Mohammed affirmed: “we want to be in the first place, and also want our country to match advanced nations that were able to mobilise their human resources to accomplish its national mission.”

Presenting his reading of the developments and changes in the region, in some Arab countries in particular, and the growing threats of extremist trends and terrorist groups that take advantage of religion in the region, Gen Shaikh Mohammed said: “The region, due to the transformations and developments, is entering a new stage of challenges, and the UAE is not untouched by the effects brought about by these transformations that demand all of us, on the national level, to be highly prepared for countering them, keep pace with the resulting developments and ably deal with their spillover (consequences)....”

“Loyalty to the UAE comes first and foremost and shall prevail over any other loyalties. This is what all of us must instill in the youth in order to strengthen our march and unite our ranks,” he concluded.