DUBAI: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the Libyan conflict and countering Iranian regional influence with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a visit to the country on Wednesday.
Pompeo and Sheikh Abdullah spoke about support for “de-escalation and a lasting ceasefire in Libya, Gulf unity and countering Iran’s malign influence in the region”, the US State Department said. The US, UAE and Israel see Iran as the main threat to the Middle East, though the UAE has said forging diplomatic ties with Israel was not directed at Tehran.
UAE news agency WAM on Wednesday cited Morgan Ortagus, spokeswoman for the State Department saying there were “incredibly positive conversations going on” on sales of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain snapped ties with Qatar in mid-2017, over accusations Doha allegedly supports Islamic militant groups. Qatar denies the charges and says the bloc is attempting to infringe its sovereignty. Washington, which wants a united Gulf Arab front against Iran, has tried to mediate an end to the dispute.