US jet-fighters to UAE may lessen US troops

The US ambassador in Abu Dhabi, David Leith, said that the US sale of F-16 jet-fighters to the United Arab Emirates may lead to minimization of the volume of US troops in the Gulf region, adding that this deal would help ensure security and stability in the region and preserve the UAE's sovereignty.

As a result of the deal, the US ambassador added that the US troops will be reduced to the minimum. He denied the deal will lead to an arms-race in the region.

On Friday, commander of the UAE air force, Lt. Gen. Khaled Bin Abdullah al-Mazrou', said the warplanes deal will cost the UAE some US $6 billion. Al-Mazrou' added that the UAE will receive the first delivery of F-16 jet fighters by the beginning of the year 2000.