US, allies will defeat Daesh: Biden

1.1686085-2867085446 — His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (L) receives US Vice President Joe Biden at Emirates Palace. Image Credit: WAM

Abu Dhabi: US Vice-President Joe Biden vowed during a visit to a coalition base in the UAE on Friday that the US and its allies would defeat Daesh.

“We are taking the fight to Daesh now and pursuing all those who would do harm to America,” said Biden who arrived on a visit to UAE on Monday.

The next plan of strategy, he said, is to reclaim territory that they have taken and destroy their financial assets.

“We have to squeeze the heart of Daesh in Iraq and Syria so they can’t continue to pump their poison into the region and the rest of the world. That’s what we are doing with our coalition partners,” he said.

“We are making it harder for them to manoeuvre. We are cutting out their lifelines and their oil revenues,” he added.

Biden and his wife Dr Jill Biden, who are known for their active approach to bringing attention to the sacrifices that the troops and their families make, thanked the soldiers for their sacrifices and hard work.

Earlier Monday, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development

Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, received Dr Jill Biden.

Shaikha Fatima expressed hope that the visit will promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and expertise in the areas of women’s work between the UAE and the US.

She briefed Dr Biden on the development achieved by Emirati women thanks to the support of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Fatima praised

Dr Biden commended Shaikha Fatima’s role in supporting Emirati women and her continuous initiatives in the field of care for mothers and children.

She also praised Emirati women for assuming senior posts in various fields in the country.

She added that she noticed that women in the country are assuming ministerial, parliamentarian diplomatic and academic posts, hailing the stature achieved by Emirati women regionally and internationally.

The US vice-president’s wife also praised the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2016, which was held recently. The forum saw the participation of more than 2,000 attendees, including leaders and decision-makers in the government and private sectors in the region and world.

The meeting was attended by Shaikha Al Yazia Bint Saif Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, wife of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Shaikha Mariam Bint Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and other shaikhas.

Exclusive access

Earlier, Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden, arrived in the UAE for a packed day of events in the emirate. Gulf News was provided with exclusive access to join Dr Biden during her visit.

The first stop on her schedule was a meeting at the General Women’s Union. Dr Biden met Noora Al Suwaidi, director-general of the General Women’s Union, and other officials, where she was introduced to the work that the union does.

Dr Biden, who is a full time English professor at a community college in Northern Virginia and a life long educator, also visited Abu Dhabi’s New York University where she met university officials and students.

Meeting students

An educator for over three decades, she was visibly excited to meet students from the

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Scholars programme. The programme is a leadership development programme for students who attend federal universities. The students briefed her on what they learn in their course and the selection process.

Later, Dr Biden joined the US vice-president at the military base where they met US and coalition troops. Dr Biden thanked the troops for their service and recognised the

military servicewomen in the crowd in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“We’re here for one simple reason: to say thank you. Thank you to every service member,” she said.

“Since tomorrow is International Women’s Day — a day to celebrate the achievements of women all around world — I’d like to take a moment to give a special thank you to the courageous women I see here today of all ranks, proudly serving our country,” she added.

“You may not even stop to think about it, but your determination will ensure future generations of women have the same opportunity to serve our country. You are trailblazers. And your resilience and grit should be celebrated," she added.

— With inputs by WAM