US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that his country was ready to sell F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, which has threatened to scrap the deal over stringent conditions.
The $23 billion arms package was supported by former president Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden has, however, pledged greater oversight by the US over the sales of the stealth war planes.
The UAE warned on Tuesday it would pull out of the agreement over new conditions set by the Biden administration, citing sovereignty concerns.
But on Wednesday, Mr Blinken said during a visit to Malaysia: “We remain prepared to move forward… if that is what the Emiratis are interested in doing”.
Asked about the conditions the US has set, he did not give precise details.
According to Reuters, he said Washington wanted to ensure that Israel maintains its “military edge".
“We wanted to make sure that we could do a thorough review of any technologies that are sold or transferred to other partners in the region,” he said.
US ally Israel had historically objected to Arab states obtaining the F-35s, seeking to maintain its regional advantage.
But Israel gave its go-ahead after the Abraham Accords were agreed, whereby the UAE and Israel established official ties.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the impasse, said that the US was insisting on conditions to ensure F-35 technology could not be transferred. The UAE has repeatedly said it would ensure the protection of the technology.
F-35s are prized for stealth capabilities and versatility with the capacity to gather intelligence, strike deep into enemy territory and engage in air duels.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a UAE official told The National on Tuesday that discussions over the sale, part of a $23 billion deal that also includes drones and other advanced munitions, are on hold as the country reassesses requirements.
“The UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35,” the official said.
“Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions and cost-benefit analysis led to the reassessment.”
The UAE and US will hold a dialogue on later today, where it is expected that these issues could be discussed.
“The UAE and the US were working towards an understanding that would address mutual defence security conditions for the acquisition. The US remains the UAE’s preferred provider for advanced defence requirements and discussions for the F-35 may be reopened in the future,” the official said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
THREE
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
