Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends James Mattis Ramadan lecture - in pictures

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince hears former US secretary of defence discuss UAE-US ties at the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed

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  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, centre, attends the James Mattis Ramadan lecture with Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, right, and guests Boubou Cisse, Prime Minister of Mali and Prince Turki bin Mohammed, Saudi Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs

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  Sheikh Mohamed speaks with James Mattis, the former US secretary of defence.

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  James Mattis delivers a lecture titled: 'The Value of the UAE - US Strategic Relationship', at Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed.

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  Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, left, and Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, centre, in attendance.

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, left, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, right.

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  Foreign ambassadors attend a lecture by James Mattis.

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  Sheikha Salama bint Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, right and Sheikha Hassa bint Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, left.

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  Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs.

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  James Mattis said the UAE must keep faith in the United States despite a temptation to believe the country was “coming apart at the seams”.

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  "I can assure you it is not. I believe it is critical to the children of both of our nations that we stay strong.”

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  Sheikh Shakbout bin Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, second left, takes notes during the lecture.

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  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed leads the applause during the lecture.

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  Guests attend the lecture.

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  From left to right: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed.

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  Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed , Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation at the lecture.

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  Dignitaries and guests attend the lecture by James Mattis.

The UAE must keep faith in the United States despite a temptation to believe the country is "coming apart at the seams", Donald Trump's former defence secretary said.

James Mattis, who quit the senior Cabinet role late last year because of differences of opinion with the president, said unity was vital in efforts to contain adversaries such as Iran, which he blamed for the recent sabotage operations off the coast of Fujairah.

In front of an audience which included Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he repeatedly praised the UAE's leadership and its people, urging the nation to maintain its close ties with Washington.

Read more: UAE must keep faith in America, says former US defence secretary James Mattis