The Mena region is undergoing a profound shift. While the rapidly rising tension between Iran and the US has taken the spotlight, the situation has been rapidly changing from Algeria to Sudan.
On Wednesday evening, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, briefed journalists on the approach taken by the UAE to recent events.
He touched on the long-anticipated US peace plan for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, developments in Yemen, the transition taking place in Sudan after the removal of Omar Al Bashir and the grinding offensive on the outskirts of the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
Iran
“We are also in this difficult regional situation to a large extent because of Iranian behaviour,” Dr Gargash said.
“Iranian behaviour is at the centre of various regional issues and definitely it is this behaviour that has led to the difficult conditions and situations that we are seeing.”
He said that after years of malevolent Iranian behaviour, the region needs a responsible and reasonable Iran.
While Dr Gargash said that the 2015 nuclear deal signed by Iran and world powers had been an attempt to address one of the main concerns about Tehran, but that it had not worked.
While it may have addressed one issue – an attempt to build a nuclear bomb – it did not address the country’s ballistic missile programme or regional policies and support for proxy forces.
But Dr Gargash said that Tehran had been taken aback by the effects of the US sanctions since it withdrew from the nuclear accord just over a year.
He described the “biting sanctions” as hitting Iran in “a very effective way”. This was at the root of the tension.
Asked what diplomatic channel Iran has to ease the situation, Dr Gargash said, somewhat jokingly, that Tehran has US President Donald Trump’s phone number.
But he said he did not believe there would be serious discussion with Iran until it took responsibility for its regional actions and stated publicly that it was willing to change course.
He said the UAE and Saudi Arabia had contacted Iran to offer assistance after the recent devastating floods as a “symbolic gesture of what can be done if Iran acts as a normal state".
But he said that countries such as the UAE have stood by as members of the Iranian government tried to sell the image of a moderate state.
Dr Gargash said that the latest attempt at this by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was hollow.
He said Iran needed to take serious, public steps to curb its support of proxy forces, interference in other countries and its ballistic missile programme before there could be a serious conversation about its place in the region.
The region, Dr Gargash said, needed a responsible and reasonable Iran.
Palestinian-Israeli conflict
Israel has a right to security and dialogue with Tel Aviv is positive, Dr Gargash said.
He said that any discussions with the Israelis did not mean the UAE agreed politically with the leaders there.
The UAE fully supports an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the long-awaited plan by the US, which President Donald Trump called “the deal of the century”, Dr Gargash said that given the situation, it could seem very difficult to hope for a breakthrough.
But he said that the UAE had been supportive of every effort by the US over the years to find a solution.
Dr Gargash praised efforts by former US secretary of state John Kerry, who he said understood the nuts and bolts of the issue but unfortunately was unable to find a solution.
He said that the UAE was also still supportive of US engagement with the issue.
Yemen
In recent days, Houthi rebels have publicly pulled forces from the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, but questions linger about how genuine the move was, with suspicion over the coastguard forces who have stepped in to replace them.
Dr Gargash called on the UN to fully monitor the Houthi withdrawal and ensure that the coastguard is a civilian force and not just rebels in different shirts.
“The Stockholm agreement remains our best hope today," he said. "It is a window. It might not be wide enough but it is the window we have to work with.
"I think this is fundamentally the coalition’s view but it is fundamentally the UAE’s view, as a part of the coalition."
Dr Gargash said the agreement had been “held hostage for five months by the Houthis". The withdrawal was meant to begin in December.
But he said that he still supported the view of the UN that it must be fully completed before talks on other areas of the conflict can resume.
Dr Gargash hopes that it could pave the way for “Yemeni to Yemeni” dialogue, but he said the rebels had clearly shown they are not interested in seriously engaging in talks.
Hours after the pullout from Hodeidah, Houthi drones attacked oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
Dr Gargash said the reservoir of confidence for the Houthis was empty and their latest moves had done little to refill it.
Yemen is, he said, another example of how Tehran’s actions do not match its words.
Iran often says its ballistic missile programme is purely defensive, but Dr Gargash said a significant evidence of Iranian contribution to the Houthi missile programme showed this not to be the case.
The rebels, he said, did not have the technology two or three years ago to hit Saudi towns and cities, but now regularly launched attacks that damaged homes and killed civilians.
Sudan
Dr Gargash said that the country’s policy on Sudan had been largely misconstrued.
Far from backing a military council that replaced longtime leader Omar Al Bashir when he was removed from office in April, he said the UAE simply wanted to see a stable Arab state emerge, and today “we can be very, very hopeful”.
Dr Gargash said Sudan was a country in need of support “after 30 years of military, Muslim Brotherhood dictatorship".
He said the UAE would like to help this important Arab state through a peaceful transition, but the pace of change and how it would look was a purely Sudanese affair.
The recent announcement of a $3 billion (Dh11.01bn) assistance package for Khartoum from the UAE and Saudi Arabia was a response to a direct need.
Dr Gargash said he hoped that within the three-year transition agreed to between the military and protesters, the country would be standing on its own two feet.
“We cannot be happy because we are the only house not arsoned or burgled,” he said. “It is part of our duty to support stability in the region.”
Libya
There is no military solution in Libya, Dr Gargash said.
He said that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar did not notify the UAE of his offensive to capture Tripoli before launching the push.
Dr Gargash urged all sides to stop fighting and return to the negotiating table.
He said several meetings over past months, including one in Abu Dhabi, had led to a road map for talks and he urged the authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi to return to the plan.
“We’ve got a road map but people need to sit together and speak together,” he said.
But Dr Gargash added: “To depict the situation as if Gen Haftar is the only problem is I think a simplification.
He said the commander was largely responsible for effectively battling extremist groups in Libya and “takes a lot of the credit that today in Libya we don’t have a major terrorist threat".
Dr Gargash said there needed to be a spotlight on the armed groups backing the Tripoli government, many of whom “scare us”.
The rule of militias, he said, had to end.
Achievements
Dr Gargash lamented that once again, regional matters had prevented him talking more about the positives taking place in the UAE and the region.
He said the visit of Pope Francis to the UAE this year had been a historic moment that many would not have believed possible.
“A large part of why the UAE is successful is because of its tolerance," Dr Gargash said. "This path sends the right messages in a difficult region.”
He said the Special Olympics had also been a testament to what could be achieved.
The results of this year's Arab Youth Survey, which again found the UAE was the most desirable country for the region's young people, showed people did not want "a crazy theocracy".
Dr Gargash said that instead, they were embracing two key ideas of the UAE – tolerance and aspiration for a better future.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Habib El Qalb
Assi Al Hallani
(Rotana)
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
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Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Bullet%20Train
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Most wanted allegations
- Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
- Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
- Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer.
- Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
- Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
- John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
- Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
- Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain.
- Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
- James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
- Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack.
