UAE reiterates call to lift Iraqi sanctions

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday reiterated its call for the lifting of UN sanctions imposed on Iraq so as to alleviate the sufferings of the Iraqi people.

In statements issued on Tuesday, UAE Defense Minister and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Muhammad Rashid al-Maktoum said, "We hope sanctions imposed on the people of Iraq will be lifted very soon."

Al-Maktoum denied any pressures exerted on the UAE to purchase new weapons, adding that the UAE does not accept such pressure.

As for OPEC's current crisis, caused by falling oil prices, Sheikh Maktoum said that his Emirate, Dubai, one of seven UAE emirates, was not affected by the recession in oil prices as oil represents just 18% of Dubai' s GDP.

"We have, beforehand planned not to depend on oil as the main source of the economy," al-Maktoum said.