Palestinians are seen living among the rubble of destroyed houses in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday firmly rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, state media reported.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said the UAE leader linked Gaza's reconstruction to a broader push for a "comprehensive and lasting peace," reiterating the UAE's commitment to a two-state solution as critical to regional stability.
Talks between the two sides focused on Middle East developments, according to WAM, particularly the Gaza crisis and its threats to regional security.
The UAE president warned that further escalation risked destabilizing the region, urging intensified efforts to contain the conflict.
The pair also reviewed opportunities to strengthen UAE-U.S. bilateral cooperation across economic, political, and humanitarian sectors, WAM added.
Rubio's visit to Abu Dhabi is the third stop of his first Middle East tour as the top U.S. diplomat. He previously visited Israel and Saudi Arabia.