UAE renews unwavering commitment to US ties

Biden welcomes Sheikh Mohamed to White House

WASHINGTON:

US President Joe Biden welcomed the president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the White House on Monday, saying the two leaders would discuss ways to deescalate tensions between Israel and Lebanon, and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Biden, speaking at the start of his meeting with the UAE leader, said Lebanon and Gaza would feature prominently in their discussions, along with talks on artificial intelligence.

Before their meeting, Biden said he had been briefed on latest developments between Israel and Lebanon, adding, "I continue to be in contact with our counterparts and we're working to deescalate in a way that allows people to return home safely."

Sheikh Mohamed said his country had an "unwavering commitment" to working with the United States and deepening the strategic partnership between the allies. Harris also plans to discuss efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal in her separate meeting with the UAE leader, the first ever visit by a UAE president to the White House, the White House official said.

Biden said after shaking hands with Sheikh Mohamed that they were going to "discuss our efforts to end the war in Gaza and a number of issues."

He said he had been briefed on developments in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds had killed 356 people, and that he was "working to de-escalate" the situation.

Biden also hailed relations with the UAE, describing it as a "nation of trailblazers, always looking to the future, always making big bets" and saying it was about to become a "major defense partner" of the United States.

Harris was meeting the UAE leader separately at the White House.

For its part the UAE has a different spin on the visit, saying it's aimed at highlighting economic and technological cooperation.