CAIRO, Sept 28 (Reuters) — UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the latter’s visit to the Gulf country on Sunday, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported Monday.
The WAM statement was the first UAE confirmation of Netanyahu’s visit.
The Israeli prime minister’s office said Monday that Netanyahu visited at Sheikh Mohamed’s invitation and that talks “focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges.”
Three senior Israeli officials said the Sunday meeting lasted six hours and centered on Iran.
The UAE had earlier denied that Sheikh Mohamed met with Netanyahu in May, after the Israeli PM’s office claimed Netanyahu had “secretly visited” the Gulf state. A source familiar with the encounter said the two met in Al-Ain, an oasis city in Abu Dhabi along the border with Oman, on March 26.
Since facing attacks linked to Iran, the UAE has strengthened ties with the United States and Israel, which it recognized under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The relationship provides the UAE with regional influence and a direct channel to Washington.
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