Kamala Harris Leads high level us team to meet new UAE leader

Following months of tense ties between Washington and the oil-rich Gulf state, US Vice President Kamala Harris led a high-level delegation to meet the new president of the United Arab Emirates, who takes over after his half-death. brother’s

Harris led the most powerful delegation to visit the UAE since President Joe Biden took office last year, which included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and CIA Director William Burns.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also known as “MBZ,” was elected president on Saturday, a day after his long-ailing half-brother, former leader Sheikh Khalifa, died.

Harris congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on his election and offered Washington’s sympathies, calling the UAE a “friend and partner.”

“We are here as a delegation… to reassert our shared commitment to security and development in this region, as well as how this partnership has benefited the American people in terms of security and prosperity,” Harris added.

World leaders have flocked to Abu Dhabi to pay their respects, reflecting the country’s growing importance following the demise of some of the region’s traditional heavyweights.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Abu Dhabi on Monday to express his condolences.

The high-level US visit appears to be meant to mend a relationship that has deteriorated since Biden took over as President in January 2021 when Donald Trump resigned.

Relations have deteriorated as a result of Abu Dhabi’s failure to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Washington’s resumption of nuclear talks with Iran, which Gulf states have long accused of causing regional upheaval.

The Emirati ambassador to the United States, Yousef al-Otaiba, said in March that relations were going through a “stress test.”

‘Deep collaboration’

Blinken, who arrived in Abu Dhabi early Monday morning ahead of the team, wished Sheikh Mohamed “warm congratulations” on his election.

“He will continue on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed’s heritage.” On Sunday, Blinken tweeted, “I look forward to continue our two peoples’ close cooperation.”

The US delegation also included John Kerry, the special presidential envoy on climate, and Brett McGurk, the National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.

The United Arab Emirates has long hosted US troops and been a strategic partner of Washington, but it has recently drawn closer to Russia economically and diplomatically.

Following a period of warmer ties with Trump, Biden has taken a harsher position on human rights and arms control.

Three oil employees were killed in an attack on Abu Dhabi by Huthi drones and missiles in January. Patriot interceptors were fired by US forces stationed there to assist foil a second strike.