A snap shot of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed during the visit to the wounded in Iranian strikes on the UAE. Photo courtesy of Skynews.
Speaking during a visit to wounded patients at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Mohamed bin Zayed said the country remained stable despite the attacks.
“We are in a period of war,” he said. “The UAE is well.”
He praised the role played by Emirati citizens and the armed forces during the conflict.
“The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh,” he said, using an Arabic metaphor suggesting the country is tough and difficult to harm. “I promise everyone that we will emerge stronger.”
During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed checked on patients wounded in the attacks and spoke with their families, wishing them a swift recovery and commending medical teams for their care.
He also pledged the government would fulfil its responsibilities toward everyone in the country and stressed that expatriates were valued members of society.
“Residents in the UAE are our guests and part of our family,” he said, in reference to nearly 10 million foreign nationals who work and live in the country.
The Emirati presidnt's statements come several hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for attacks on neighbouring countries since the start of the US/Israeli war on Iran last week.
“I should apologize to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” said Pezeshkian, claiming that the attacks on the Gulf countries were in part to Tehran's inability to excersize complete control over various components of its military.
“From now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”
Tehran has claimed said its attacks directed at Gulf states were aimed at US bases and US-linked infrastructure as retaliation for the US-Israeli war against Iran launched last week.
However, shortly after the Iranian president's apologetic statements, various Gulf states, including the UAE, reported incoming missiles and drones at their territories.
The UAE said Iran launched 16 ballistic missiles and 121 drones at the country on Saturday, with only two drones striking the nation.
Emirati authorities said three foreign nationals were killed and around 70 people injured, mostly by debris falling in civilian areas after interceptions of 174 missiles and 689 drones.
The UAE condemned the reported Iranian attacks on seaports and airports as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty” and international law, saying it reserved the right to respond.
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