(Washington) US President Joe Biden met with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Washington on Monday, with whom he discussed the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan, where the United Arab Emirates is accused of playing a role.
Vice President and Democratic candidate for the November election Kamala Harris is also scheduled to meet with the Emirati leader in this unprecedented visit to the White House.
In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the presidents shared their “common concern about the risk of imminent atrocities” in Sudan “as fighting continues in Darfur” and called for an “immediate” ceasefire.
The US and Emirati leaders also urge all parties to “respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Since April 2023, Sudan has been the scene of a war between two rival generals that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions, causing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
PHOTO SUSAN WALSH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Earlier, welcoming his Emirati counterpart, Democratic President Joe Biden, who is nearing the end of his term, had indicated that they would also discuss their “efforts to end the war in Gaza.”
The army, supported by the government, has been accusing Abu Dhabi for months of supporting the rival camp. Accusations that are not mentioned in the statement.
Earlier, welcoming his Emirati counterpart, Democratic President Joe Biden, who is nearing the end of his term, had indicated that they would also discuss their “efforts to end the war in Gaza.”
The American leader also assured that he was “working on a de-escalation” in Lebanon, where the Israeli army increased its strikes on Monday, which left 492 dead.
On the Emirati side, this meeting in Washington was presented more as an opportunity to highlight the economic and technological cooperation between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.
Presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the Emiratis were thinking “economy first” in their “strategic relationship” with the United States.
In this area, President Biden praised “a country of pioneers, always looking to the future” and affirmed that Abu Dhabi was on the verge of becoming a “major partner” of Washington “in terms of defense.”
The UAE, however, maintains close ties with Russia and has refused to condemn the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.