UAE leaders congratulate new prime minister of Kazakhstan

President Sheikh Khalifa leads messages of support for Alikhan Smailov

UAE president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, attends the final session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Kuwait City on December 15, 2009. Energy-rich states of the Gulf do not feel threatened by Iraq's plans to massively expand its oil production, Kuwait's foreign minister said. The GCC alliance is made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT
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President Sheikh Khalifa has sent a message of congratulations to Kazakhstan's new prime minister, Alikhan Smailov.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, delivered similar messages to Mr Smailov on his appointment.

The veteran politician was nominated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before being voted in by MPs.

Mr Smailov, 49, served as first deputy prime minister in the previous cabinet, which Mr Tokayev dismissed last week following violent clashes in the country.

A Russian-led military bloc will begin withdrawing its troops from Kazakhstan in two days' time after fulfilling its main mission of stabilising the Central Asian country, Mr Tokayev said on Tuesday.

Kazakhstan's security forces have detained 9,900 people over the unrest, in which more than 160 people were killed, the Interior Ministry said.

Mr Tokayev has called the unrest an attempted coup and said that his security services would never shoot peaceful protesters.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed talked to Mr Tokayev on Monday, expressing his wish to see peace in the Central Asian country.

In a phone call, Sheikh Mohamed said the Emirates supported everything that could help to achieve stability.

Mr Tokayev briefed Sheikh Mohamed on the latest developments and the measures taken to establish security and to protect Kazakhstan's institutions.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his confidence in the ability of the government and people in Kazakhstan to quickly overcome this difficult period.

Updated: January 11, 2022, 5:01 PM