(Abu Dhabi) – The President of UAE, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at Al Dhiyafa Palace.
The meeting was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.E. Sheikh Tahnoun, Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region; H.E. Sheikh Saeed, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi; H.E. Sheikh Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt-Gen. H.E. Sheikh Saif, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister; H.E. Sheikh Mansour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.E. Sheikh Omar, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.E. Sheikh Mohammed, Member Executive Council; ministers and senior state officials.
During the meeting with Haniyeh, President said that the UAE stands by the Palestinian people in their struggle to regain their legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with legitimate international resolutions. He also stressed on the importance of unifying the Palestinian ranks to meet the challenges faced by the Palestinian cause.
Haniyeh briefed Sheikh Khalifa on the latest developments on the Palestinian issue and the efforts to achieve national reconciliation. He expressed his happiness over visiting the UAE and appreciated the stance of the UAE towards the Palestinian people and their just cause.
He thanked the UAE for continued support to the Palestinian people through humanitarian projects and wished continued progress and prosperity to the people of UAE.