Sheikh Khalifa lauds efforts of the forces

The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has stressed that the UAE's founding fathers shaped the doctrine of the armed forces on a value system of faith, belonging, loyalty, sacrifice and pride.

In a speech to Dira Al Watan magazine on the 34th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Khalifa said the doctrine was based on victory for what is right and rejection of aggression.

The President added that the doctrine also focused on dedication of law, respect for others and their rights, and ensuring national sovereignty, pride and dignity.

Sheikh Khalifa asserted that the armed forces' participation in international peacekeeping efforts in more than one location comes from these principles.

He said the armed forces demonstrated a high level of efficiency, which was appreciated by the international community as UAE's Armed Forces gave military work a humanitarian value by providing protection and security as well as assistance and relief without discrimination on the basis of religion, race or gender.

Sheikh Khalifa stressed that the unification of the UAE Armed Forces in 1976 under one banner and unified command came as a natural response to the will, aspirations and hopes of the people of the UAE and is considered a quantum leap for the federal march.

Sheikh Khalifa said: "As we constantly pursue the happenings in the field of training, acquiring the latest weapons and equipment, and increase efforts to enhance our capabilities, we feel proud and encouraged of our troops' capacity and rapid absorption of advanced defence technologies and logistics systems.

"We are confident that this effort will continue and be enhanced. The achievements of the UAE Armed Forces should serve as an incentive for more achievements, training and preparation in order to maintain a high level of readiness for all developments and changes and to face all challenges and defend our homeland.

"Believing in the role played by our armed forces, we see that the interaction of the military institutions with the development plans and programmes will enrich civil system and its different institutions. It is a proof of national integrity."

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