The UAE on Monday reaffirmed its support for the international efforts to fight terrorism, but voiced sympathy for the Afghan people and called for an end to Israel's "terrorism" against the Palestinians.
"The United Arab Emirates affirms its support for international efforts to combat terrorism. The current military operations against the centers of international terrorism enjoy broad global support," the UAE cabinet said in a statement carried by the official WAM news agency.
"At the same time, the UAE renews its support for, and sympathy with, the Afghan people, as well as affirming its backing for international efforts aimed at easing their plight," it said.
"Innocent civilians should not be made to suffer losses (in lives and property)," the statement added.
AFP said that the UAE cabinet went on to urge the international community to show even-handedness in combating terrorism and strive to "put an immediate end to the terrorist operations perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people."
"This approach is in accordance with the well-known policy of the UAE, as expressed by President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in his call for the international community to cooperate in fighting and eradicating terrorism, in line with the principles of international legitimacy," the statement said.
The statement also expressed "the appreciation of the UAE for the positive remarks of U.S. President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair in rejecting any linkage between Islam and terrorism, and for their opposition to any acts that cause cause harm to Arabs and Muslims."
In conclusion, the statement noted that "the UAE condemns and opposes the campaign of hate against Arabs and Muslims that seeks to distort the image of Islam, which is a religion of peace, love and tolerance."
Bahrain, the UAE's partner in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also said Monday it supported the US-British strikes against Afghanistan while expressing concern about the fate of the Afghan people.
In Saudi Arabia, also a GCC member, the cabinet Monday remained silent about the strikes but welcomed US President George W. Bush's endorsement of a Palestinian state, said AFP – Albawaba.com
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