On his first official visit to the Gulf nation, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir reviewed defence and military cooperation, according to a statement from the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
According to the state news agency, during the meeting the two sides also discussed measures to develop military affairs to serve the shared interests of the two friendly nations.
In the statement, it was stated that “the two sides reviewed cooperation relations and joint effort between the UAE and Pakistan in defence and military issues, as well as methods to strengthen them to serve the shared interests of the two friendly countries.”
The president of the UAE met Gen. Munir at Qasr Al Shati Palace. The army chief was congratulated by President Nahyan on his appointment and given good luck in his new role as a servant of his nation and people.
Gen. Munir thanked and appreciated the president for thanking him, according to the WAM.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser, attended the meeting along with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of the Presidential Court’s Special Affairs Adviser, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Staff Lieutenant General, and others.
Gen Munir meets Saudi crown prince
Gen. Munir met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman the day before, according to the Saudi Press Agency, and “discussed bilateral relations and the ways of expanding them” (SPA).
According to the SPA, the army chief and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia “discussed bilateral ties and the ways of developing them, as well as a number of subjects of common concern” at the reception.
The national news agency reported that Dr. Musaed bin Muhammad al Aiban, Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser, and Prince Khalid bin Salman, the country’s defence minister, also attended the reception.
Gen. Munir is on his first official tour abroad since becoming the army leader. On January 10, he is anticipated to return to Pakistan.
According to the ISPR, the army commander would meet with top authorities from both nations during the week-long tour to address issues of common interest, military-to-military cooperation, and bilateral relations with a focus on security-related issues.
Kaaba doors opened for Gen. Munir
According to a Monday article in The News, Gen. Munir completed Umrah during which the Kaaba’s doors were opened for him.
Gen Munir and a few other persons could be seen leaving the Holy Kaaba in a video that was uploaded to Instagram. The commander of the army was dressed in all-black.
According to local media, the Holy Kaaba’s doors were reportedly opened for the top general in an act of unprecedented hospitality. A Hafiz-e-Quran named Gen Munir offered prayers inside the Kaaba.
In another video, the army leader is seen being escorted by Saudi security officers as he enters Masjid-e-Nabwi (SAW), the second holiest mosque in Islam. (ISPR)