The UAE has participated in a meeting aimed at establishing a strategic alliance in the Middle East. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation met with counterparts from other GCC states, the US and Jordan in Saudi Arabia to discuss the plan. The alliance, first proposed during the Arab Islamic American Summit held in Riyadh in 2017, aims to strengthen regional and global security, stability and prosperity. During the meeting, the officials agreed to establish special task forces to explore how the alliance could work in terms of security, investment, economy and energy. It is also hoped the alliance will eventually lead to members taking on more of the burden for counter-terrorism in the region, reported state news agency Wam. “Above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration,” Mr Trump said during his visit to Riyadh in 2017. “That goal is to meet history’s great test – to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism. “Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred. And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.” Enhancing the military and security capabilities of traditional Middle East allies will also help counter Iran’s growing regional power, said the president. “Among Iran’s most tragic and destabilising interventions have been in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, Assad has committed unspeakable crimes,” he said.
