UAE rejects US threats against Iraq

The United Arab Emirates has asserted its opposition to US threats to launch a military act against Iraq and called for settling the crisis between Baghdad and the UN by diplomatic means.

UAE dailies quoted the UAE's deputy premier, Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, as saying upon meeting with former US undersecretary of state Richard Murphy on Tuesday night, "We will not accept any US military threat against Iraq, and we see the question on UN inspectors as one to be dealt with through peaceful means."

Sheikh Sultan called for uniting Arab ranks, giving up Arab disputes and making efforts to restore Iraq to its natural place among the Arab states.

UAE dailies on Wednesday reported that UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan received a communique from US President Bill Clinton.