UAE praises Syria's support over islands

The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Damascus, Ali Bin Seif Sultan, has highlighted the relations between the UAE and Syria which have been built up over the years.

He added that these relations have "strengthened the roots of bilateral cooperation and coordination and inspired strength from the solid fraternal relations between President Assad and Sheikh Zayed."

In a statement to SANA on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the UAE National Day today, the UAE ambassador stressed that strong ties between the two leaders have contributed toward causes which are the preoccupation of the Arab and Islamic nations, foremost being the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The ambassador added that the UAE has always stressed total support for Syria's stances in the peace negotiations and demands for the restoration of its occupied lands to the June 4, 1967 border lines, as well as its commitment to abide by what was achieved in peace negotiations and the resumption of these negotiations from the point at which they broke off.

He expressed his country's appreciation for the Syrian position towards the question of the three disputed Gulf islands of Greater and Lesser Tanb and Abu Mousa, as well as Syria's support for the efforts exerted by the UAE to restore its sovereignty over the said three islands "which are an integral part of the UAE." Iran current controls the islands.