Jordan's King Abdullah receiving UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Amman. AFP
Jordan's King Abdullah receiving UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Amman. AFP
Jordan's King Abdullah receiving UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Amman. AFP
Jordan's King Abdullah receiving UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Amman. AFP

Jordan tells Cameron failure to adopt UN resolution on Gaza would be a war crime


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Failure to adopt a Security Council draft resolution presented by the UAE would be "approving the war crime of denying Palestinians food, water and medicine", Jordan's Foreign Minister told Lord Cameron.

Ayman Safadi and his British counterpart held extensive talks in Amman on Wednesday. Mr Safadi posted on social media that he had stressed the importance of passing the draft resolution and the pair agreed on the need to provide sufficient humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

"I urged immediate end of the Israeli aggression on Gaza," he wrote. "Nothing justifies this brutal war. It has to stop immediately."

Lord Cameron also met King Abdullah, Queen Rania and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The king reiterated the need for civilians to be protected and "called on the international community to pressure Israel to stop its war on the Strip", an official statement said.

He also warned disrupting basic services such as fuel, electricity and water was "unacceptable" and said Israel's aggression had exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

Lord Cameron, who visited the Jordanian Hashemite Charitable Organisation with Prince Rashid, said the UK and Jordan were working together "to get significantly more life-saving aid to those who need it".

He described as "positive news" that a World Food Programme aid convoy from Jordan had on Wednesday reached Gaza for the first time since October 7.

He said he would continue to press for an increased flow of aid and fuel to Gaza.

The UK has refused to say how it would vote on the Security Council resolution, which has been postponed several times since Monday.

Lord Cameron, who is on his second visit to the region in his role as Foreign Secretary, will later travel to Egypt, where he is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who this week won a third six-year term in office, as well as Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The Middle East tour is intended to push for a “sustainable ceasefire” and further humanitarian pauses in Gaza.

He is travelling with Britain's Minister of State for the Middle East Tariq Ahmad with the aim of progressing "efforts to secure the release of all hostages, step up aid to Gaza and end Hamas rocket attacks and threats against Israel".

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On Tuesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Commons Liaison Committee a sustainable ceasefire is one in which Hamas is no longer able to attack Israel.

"I will be seeking to build on Israel’s decision to open the Kerem Shalom crossing to ensure significantly more aid and fuel can reach Gaza, through as many routes as possible," Lord Cameron said ahead of his return to the Middle East.

“No one wants to see this conflict go on for a moment longer than necessary. But for a ceasefire to work, it needs to be sustainable.

“If Israel is still facing Hamas in Gaza with rockets and terror tactics, not only will a ceasefire not be sustainable, a two-state solution in the longer term will also not be possible.”

British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman. Reuters
British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman. Reuters

In Egypt he will hear from the Egyptian Red Crescent about the effect the UK’s aid deliveries, such as wound care packs, are having in Gaza.

Lord Cameron last week announced a new batch of sanctions against leaders and financiers of Hamas, while also placing restrictions on Israelis responsible for settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

He visited Paris and Rome on Tuesday as part of UK efforts to help co-ordinate the European response to the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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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.

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Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

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A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
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Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Updated: December 20, 2023, 6:53 PM`