Obama and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan "reaffirmed
their mutual commitment to close defense and security
cooperation," the White House said in a statement after the
meeting.
The UAE is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State
militants in Iraq and Syria, and is also part of the Saudi-led
alliance engaged in air strikes in Yemen against the Iran-allied
Shi'ite Houthi group.
"The leaders discussed the ongoing need for expedited provision
of essential military equipment and supplies to the UAE" in the
context of the fight against Islamic State and U.S. support for
the Yemen operations, said Alistair Baskey, a spokesman for the
White House National Security Council.
Obama also discussed the framework deal reached with Iran and
world powers earlier this month with the crown prince, the White
House said.
Obama will meet with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council
at the White House on May 13 and at the presidential retreat at
Camp David, Maryland, on May 14 to discuss the issues roiling
the Middle East.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Peter Cooney)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](column_spacer.png) |
|