Mon Sep 23 17:11:19 UTC 2024: ## Biden Recognizes UAE as Major Defense Partner, Calls for Gaza Ceasefire

**WASHINGTON** – President Joe Biden formally designated the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday following a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The designation, previously granted only to India, will enable closer military cooperation between the two countries, including joint training, exercises, and other collaborative efforts.

The meeting, held amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, focused on the war in Gaza and the wider regional instability. Biden and Sheikh Mohamed called for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and expressed their commitment to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Biden also addressed the situation in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have resulted in heavy casualties, and assured that the U.S. is working to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safe return of civilians to their homes.

The two leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict in Sudan, emphasizing that there is no military solution to the crisis and stressing the need for a peaceful resolution. They further highlighted their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas like space exploration, clean energy, and artificial intelligence, fields where the UAE has ambitious plans that have drawn interest from China.

Vice President Kamala Harris separately met with Sheikh Mohamed, expressing her deep concern about the ongoing atrocities and displacement in Sudan.

Read More