Leaders from across Middle East send congratulations to US president-elect
Leaders of the UAE and other countries in the region congratulated Joe Biden on his election as US president on Saturday.
President Sheikh Khalifa wished Mr Biden success and noted the strategic and historic relations between the US and the UAE, state news agency Wam reported.
Shortly after the results were announced on Saturday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: “Congratulations to the president-elect of the United States and vice president- elect ... We look forward to strengthening our five-decade enduring and strategic relations.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent a message:
“Our sincere wishes for further development and prosperity for the American people.
“The UAE and USA are friends and allies with a strong historic partnership that we look forward to strengthening together.”
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi congratulated Mr Biden, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.
“The president stressed the aspiration for co- operation and joint action to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations between Egypt and the United States, in the interest of the two friendly countries and peoples,” the statement said.
Iraq’s President Barham Salih said Mr Biden was “a friend and trusted partner” and that he looked forward to working together with him to build a better Iraq and more peaceful and stable Middle East.
Oman’s Sultan Haitham also offered congratulations to Mr Biden for “gaining the confidence of the American people”.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II sent his best wishes to Mr Biden and Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect, saying he looked forward to advancing the “shared objectives of peace, stability and prosperity”.
In his message of congratulations, Lebanese President Michel Aoun voiced hope for a “return to balance in American- Lebanese relations” during Mr Biden’s term. The US imposed sanctions on Mr Aoun’s son-in-law Gebran Bassil on Friday as part of campaign targeting figures in or linked to the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Mr Biden’s victory in the presidential election gave the US an opportunity to “compensate for its previous mistakes”.
Mr Trump applied a policy of “maximum pressure” and crippling sanctions against Iran since his 2018 withdrawal from a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran.
President Sheikh Khalifa reflected on a historic relationship between the UAE and the US