Antony Blinken apologized to UAE leadership

Washington, April 14: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken apologized last month to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed following what the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw as a slow and weak response to Houthi attacks, Axios said on Wednesday in a report, citing two sources briefed on the issue. Blinken admitted during a meeting with the Crown Prince in Morocco that the United States’ response took too long and apologized for the delayed reaction, the sources reportedly said. The US-Emirati relationship soured following the Biden administration’s slow response to a Houthi missile and drone attack on Abu Dhabi earlier this year, as well as the administration’s refusal to redesignate the Houthis as a terror organization and delaying a visit of Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie to Abu Dhabi in about 22 days. Blinken and the Crown Prince had a two-hour meeting to discuss the recent tensions in the bilateral relationship, the Houthi attacks against the UAE, issues related to Iran and Syria, the Abraham Accords, and Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. Blinken during the talks welcomed the UAE’s support in helping facilitate a ceasefire in Yemen. (UNI/SPUTNIK) https://youtu.be/hF6RwyhDW7c (video credits- YouTube)