UAE president rejects displacement of Palestinians in meeting with Marco Rubio

Abu Dhabi, UAE - United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan told visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday that Abu Dhabi opposes the displacement of Palestinians, official media reported.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (l.) meets United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on February 19, 2025.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (l.) meets United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on February 19, 2025.  © REUTERS

Sheikh Mohammed "affirmed the UAE's firm position rejecting any attempts aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land," the Gulf state's WAM news agency said.

Rubio departed Abu Dhabi after a brief stop in the UAE, the final leg of his first Middle East tour, which included discussions on a proposal by President Donald Trump to place Gaza under US control and relocate its inhabitants.

The trip also saw breakthrough talks with Russian officials in Riyadh a day earlier, with discussions on issues including efforts to end the Ukraine war.

North Korea condemns "foolish acts" of US, Japan, and South Korea after denuclearization agreement
North Korea North Korea condemns "foolish acts" of US, Japan, and South Korea after denuclearization agreement

The UAE president "stressed the need for the reconstruction of Gaza to be linked to a path leading to comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution," WAM reported.

Rubio's visit to the UAE comes ahead of a Friday summit in Saudi Arabia of the six-state Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Egypt and Jordan, in order to respond to Trump's Gaza plan.

Trump administration calls for ethnic cleansing of Gaza Strip

The Trump administration, which rejects any future role for Hamas in the Palestinian territory, has called on the Arab countries, which are firmly opposed to any displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, to propose alternatives to the US president's plan.

Trump has proposed putting the Gaza Strip, devastated by more than 15 months of all-out assault by Israel, under US control and forcibly removing its 2.4 million inhabitants, mainly to neighboring Jordan and Egypt. The ethnic cleansing threats have sparked global outcry and war crime warnings.

In Saudi Arabia on Monday, Rubio met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing "the importance of an arrangement for Gaza that contributes to regional security," according to a statement.

On Sunday, during his first stop in Jerusalem, the US secretary of state offered unwavering US support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, giving Israel the green light to proceed however it chooses in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Cover photo: REUTERS

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