Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)– The Emirati academic, Abdul Khaliq Abdullah, commented on Monday on the participation of Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian in the condolences of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the Emirates, who passed away on Friday.
Abdullah said, through his Twitter account: “Thank you to the Iranian Foreign Minister, who came to the UAE to participate in the condolences of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, may God have mercy on him, and the first thing was for the President of Iran to come to offer his condolences.”
He added, “Iran missed an opportunity to support the path of regional reconciliation, perhaps it is a continuation of the Iranian arrogance towards the Arab Gulf states, which we feel and know closely.”
Thank you to the Iranian Foreign Minister who came to the UAE to participate in the condolences of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, may God have mercy on him. The first was for the Iranian president to come to offer his condolences. Iran missed an opportunity to support the path of regional reconciliation, perhaps it is a continuation of the Iranian arrogance towards the Arab Gulf states, which we feel and know closely. https://t.co/F6znY3SZyN
For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister said, via his Twitter account: “Opening a new page in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Arab Emirates, we strongly strengthen the hands of our neighbors, the strength of the ties with neighbors disappoints the enemies of the region.”
Opening a new page in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of the United Arab Emirates. Strengthen the hands of our neighbors strongly. The strength of the ties with the neighbors disappoints the enemies of the region. https://t.co/IKaSHSRXaa
World leaders flock to the Emirati capital to offer condolences to the Emirati leadership on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.
They were greeted by the former crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the new Emirati president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who was appointed commander on Saturday, the day following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country and the United Arab Emirates have important military and economic ties, was the first European leader to arrive in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and a statement from the Elysee said he congratulated Sheikh Mohammed on his appointment and discussed global affairs, including Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who visited Abu Dhabi on Saturday, tweeted: “I congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his appointment as President of the United Arab Emirates during my visit to offer condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa… The United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates will continue to work together closely. Close for the security and prosperity of our peoples.”