Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will open on Wednesday morning the first ordinary session of 16th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC).

Members of Supreme Federal Council, Their Highnesses The Rulers of The Emirates will attend the session.

In accordance with article 80, the President of the Union will deliver a statement.

The FNC will form a committee from the members to prepare a reply to the statement, including remarks of the FNC members. After endorsing the reply by the FNC, it will be submitted to the President of the Union, who in turn will present it before the Supreme Federal Council.

After the recitation of the Holy Quran, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid will open the session and read out the convocation decree. As the tradition goes, the eldest MP will deliver the FNC speech that will be followed by election of the speaker and his first and second deputies.

Mohammed receives Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today received Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker and Head of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Marzouq Al-Ghanim.

Al Ghanim conveyed the greetings of Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed and Al-Ghanim exchanged views on a number of Arab issues and ways to enhance Arab solidarity, as well as the role played by the Arab parliamentarians to achieve solidarity, which is the ultimate objective of the Arab peoples.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai attended the meeting. Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the strong and distinguished fraternal ties between the leaderships of the UAE and Kuwait at various political, economic and social levels, while expressing that the GCC states are one body.

Sheikh Mohammed asked Al-Ghanim to reciprocate his greetings to the Emir of Kuwait, wishing him well and happiness, as well as further progress, security and stability to the people of Kuwait.

Among those who attended the meeting were Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Mohammed Ibrahim AI Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler's Court, Government of Dubai, and Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director- General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai.

Also, Salah Mohammad Al Baijan, Kuwait's ambassador to the UAE and Theyab Farhan Al-Rashidi, Kuwait's Consul General in Dubai and those accompanying Al-Ghanim attended the meeting.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued two Federal Decrees on the formation of the Federal National Council (FNC) for the 16th legislative chapter and convening of the FNC session on Wednesday.

The first article of the Federal Decree Number 136 calls for convening the first ordinary session of the 16th legislative chapter on Wednesday morning, corresponding with 18th November, 2015. The second article of the Federal Decree states that the competent authorities should implement this decree, and shall be published in the official gazette.

Following are the names of the FNC members named by the Federal Decree No. 136:

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi:

Dr. Amal Abdullah Juma Karam Al Qubaisi

Nora Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi

Khalifa Suhail Ali Rabia Al Mazrouei

Saeed Saleh Maizar Al Rumaithi

Saeed Omair Yousef Ahmed Al Muhairi

Saleh Mubarak Muslim Othaith Al Ameri

Mattar Hamad Mattar Omaira Al Shamsi

Mattar Suhail Ali Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri.

The Emirate of Dubai

Jamal Mattar Mohammed Misbah Al Hai

Hamad Sultan Ahmed Obaid Al Rahoumi Al Muhairi

Khaled Ali Ahmed bin Zayed Al Falasi

Azza Suleiman Bin Suleiman

Afra Rashid Eid Al Basti

Majid Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi

Mohammed Ali Abdullah Al Kamali

Marwan Ahmed Ali Khalifa bin Ghalaita Al Muhairi

The Emirate of Sharjah

Ahmed Mohammed Rashid Al Jarwan Al Shamsi

Jassim Abdullah Abdul Razak Al Naqbi

Salem Obaid Mohammed Obaid Al Hisan Al Shamsi

Dr. Saeed Abdullah Juma Al Mutawa

Aisha Salim Ahmed bin Samnoh

Mohammed Ali Saif Ali Al Ketbi

The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

Ahmed Yousef Mohammed Darwish Al Nuaimi

Salem Ali Ahmed Ali Al Ghalili Al Shehhi

Abdul Aziz Abdullah Salem Al Zaabi

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Mahrazi

Naema Abdullah Saeed Al Sharhan

Dr. Nidal Mohammed Al Tunaiji

The Emirate of Ajman

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi

Hamad Abdullah Saeed Abdullah Ghalaita Al Ghafli

Salem Abdullah Hamad Rashid Al Shamsi

Saeed bin Khalfan bin Hadim Al Kaabi

The Emirate of Umm Al Qaiwain

Khalfan Abdullah Salem Humaid bin Youkha Al Ali

Aisha Rashid Sultan Al Ali

Obaid Hassan Humaid bin Al Rakad Al Ali

Ali Jassim Ahmed Jassim Al Ali

The Emirate of Fujairah

Ahmed Mohammed Mubarak Abdullah Al Hamoudi

Alia Suleiman Moussa Al Jassim Al Reyaysa

Faisal Essa Hareb Al Dhabahi

Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Yamahi

 

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai received at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai the African leaders taking part in the Africa Global Business Forum, currently underway in Dubai.

Present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohamed met with Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanada, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, Hassan Shaikh Mahmoud of Somalia, as well as Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda and Vice President of Comoros Nuruddin Burhani.

Sheikh Mohammed's talks with the African leaders touched on economic and human development in Africa and ways to build strategic partnerships between the UAE and African countries.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE, both at the level of public as well as private sector, is ready to help upgrade infrastructure in the African countries and set up mutually beneficial investments.

The African leaders praised the progress made by the UAE and said they were looking forward to enhancing their respective countries' economic and investment ties with the UAE.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD), Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Ruler's Court, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), Majed Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department and Hamad Bu Amim, Director General of DCCI.

Agreement between Investment Corporation of Dubai and Rwanda Development Board

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda today attended the signing of a cooperation and partnership agreement between the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Also present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

The agreement was signed by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Ruler's Court and Chief Executive Officer of the ICD, and Francis Gatare, Chief Executive of the RDB.

Under the agreement, the ICD and the RDB will jointly invest in two tourist projects in Rwanda. The ICD will develop the infrastructure and build a 5-star hotel, along with service and recreational facilities.

Sheikh Mohammed and President Kagame watched a short film on the projects. They also viewed the project's master plan and designs.

Sheikh Mohammed hailed the project as a testimony to UAE's strong ties with the African continent, which is full of potentials and rich resources. He called for more investments in Africa, particularly by the private sector which plays a pivotal role in building strong and viable partnerships.

President Kagame stressed the importance of the tourist project which, he said, will act as a magnet for tourism and provide job opportunities to hundreds of young people in Rwanda.

He applauded Dubai's expertise in the investment sector and expressed the hope that his country will benefit from Dubai's success story.

The signing was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, ministers and senior officials.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, lauded the cooperation between various government departments and Dubai The Model Centre, a subsidiary of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai, to improve government services.

The Dubai Crown Prince also lauded the 13 nominees for the Public Vote Award 2015.

Sheikh Hamdan made his remarks this morning while launching the voting for the Public Vote Award 2015 that will continue until 8 December 2015 via the HBMPSG app available for both Apple and Android users and also through the website vote.dtmc.gov.ae.

Sheikh Hamdan said: "Since its establishment five years ago, Dubai The Model Centre has contributed in promoting innovation in Dubai’s government sector, particularly by engaging customers and making them the evaluators of the government’s best initiatives. This year we saw many innovative initiatives in the government sector aimed at making Dubai the best city in the world in terms of services."

Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai The Model Center Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani said: "The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government (HBMPSG) invites the public to vote for their choice of the best government initiative launched in 2015. Through the voting process, we aim to encourage government entities to improve their services. It also helps us understand public expectations and promote a partnership with customers."

Eman Al Suwaidi, Director of Dubai The Model Centre, said: "The Centre is keen to engage the public in the process of improving government services. Following the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we seek to simplify the voting procedures to allow a maximum number of people to vote. Voters can visit the website or download the app to know more about the nominated initiatives and then enter their ID number and information to complete the process of making a vote."

The nominated initiatives are:

1.         e-Ticketing, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing

2.         D10, Dubai Municipality

3.         My Foundation Cares About My Childhood, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children

4.         Takamul, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

5.         TM, Red Team

6.         Advance Passenger Information System, General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs

7.         Nafethati, Roads & Transport Authority

8.         Sheryan, Dubai Health Authority

9.         Cargo Reconciliation, Dubai Customs

10.       Smart Case Management File, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children

11.       Electronic Tracking of the Cargo Transfer, Dubai Customs

12.       We Are Feeding You, Dubai Health Authority

13.       Mobile Police Station, Dubai Police

All citizens, residents and visitors in Dubai are eligible for voting except employees of Dubai Government. The results of the vote will be announced during the annual award ceremony for the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government on 16 December 2015. The winner of the Public Vote Award 2015 will take home the HBMPSG Flag.

In 2013, Dubai Roads & Transport Authority won the flag followed by Trakhees in 2014.

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received today President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of the Federal Republic of Somalia at Al Bahr Palace.

Sheikh Mohammed and President Mohamoud discussed ways of consolidating fraternal ties and their enhancement to better serve mutual interests of the two countries and their peoples.

The two sides also tackled co-operation between the two countries in terms of the major development projects being implemented by the UAE in Somalia in development, humanitarian and economic fields, and assistance lent to vital educational, health, and services facilities. They also took note of the latest developments in the region and of the issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Mohamed affirmed the UAE's commitment to support the aspirations of the Somali people with regard to security, stability, development and nation building, and hoped that peace and welfare would prevail in Somalia.

The Somali president valued the vital role of the UAE in supporting stability in Somalia through its developmental projects which contributed towards meeting the requirements of the Somali people.

Lt. General Hamad Al Shamsi, Chairman of the State Security Apparatus, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouie, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Abdel Qadir Shaikhi Mohammed Al Hatemi, Ambassador of Somalia to the UAE, attended the meeting.

 

Backed by the popular resistance and the Arab coalition forces, the Yemen's national army have been advancing on the southwestern front along the Lahij Governorate to the first border areas of the Taiz Governorate.

The local sources in the region said there has been disarray in the ranks of the Houthi militia and Saleh group amid reports they were fleeing from the battlefields.

They added that the disarray came after the national army on Tuesday evening tightened full control over Al Sharaijah area and its environs, and captured dozens of the Houthi militia and Saleh group forces.

Meanwhile, the national army and the popular resistance through the air force coverage of the Arab coalition managed to overcome the danger of mines and advanced rapidly in the first areas of Taiz Governorate.

The sources said that the legitimate forces backed by Apache gunships pounded the defence lines of the Houthi rebels on the southwestern front. They could advance further with the support of the jetfighters to the areas bordering Taiz on the eastern gate of the city.

The reports said that the dozens of militia surrendered to the forces of the national army in the region, adding that many of them who gave their weapons, were mostly children.

Arab coalition warplanes raided a rocket platform for the Iranian-backed rebels as they continued to hunt for insurgent ground missile targets to neutralize their rocket power.

The jets bombed the rocket launcher platform in the Western Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah, where the Houthis and their allies maintain some pockets after most of their force were expelled by the coalition and the national army and resistance.

Yemen’s news network Mareb Press, quoting military sources in Yemen, said several coalition aircraft struck the coup rebel missile base in Nakheela area.

“The planes raided the platform many times. The Houthis and their allies still have some resistance pockets in that area,” the report said without elaborating on the raid.

It said the raid was part of intensifying coalition air strikes against the insurgents as the army and resistance fighters pursued their sweep through Taiz to eject the rebels.

Coalition warplanes have destroyed major 10 missile bases for the Houthis and their allies in Yemen over the past few months, the report said.

 

Yemeni national resistance fighters killed two Houthi field commanders close to the group’s top leader in an ambush in the central region.

The resistance fighters ambushed the two commanders riding in a convoy with other coup rebels on a rugged road West of the central town of Ibb.

Yemen’s network Masdar Online said the fighters attacked the convoy on Saturday in Adeen area and that other insurgents were also killed or wounded.

Quoting military sources, it said the resistance men carried out the ambush after watching rebel movements in that area for five days.

The network did not identify the two commanders killed in the ambush but said they are close to the Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi.

“The ambush was followed with heavy fighting for nearly half an hour. Two field commanders close to Abdul Malik Al Houthi were killed while several other rebels were also killed or wounded in the clashes,” the report said.

It noted that the ambush coincided with a major offensive by the national army and resistance, backed by Arab coalition air forces, against the insurgents in the Southwestern town of Taiz. Reports from Yemen said the army and resistance have seized many areas and that the Houthis and their allies continued to retrea

The Yemeni legitimate government forces are closing in on Taiz and getting closer to liberating the governorate from the rebel militias.

Mine sweepers and air support provided by the Arab Coalition enabled the Yemeni government forces' to make quick progress in their fight against the rebel Houthi militia and forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Al Kirsh and Al Shariha areas.

The government forces are now only 10km away from Al Rahda district in Al Kirsh area as the Arab Coalition's jetfighters covered their progress to the coastal Al Omari Camp in a bid to liberate the Port of Mocha after the rebel militia were forced by the Coalition's airstrikes to retreat from their positions.

In addition, more pro-government reinforcements arrived in Al Waziyah district which was liberated recently by the government forces.


 

Yemeni Vice-President and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah visited the liberated central Marib town on Sunday and declared that the legitimate regime would soon enter the capital Sanaa, a Yemeni news network reported on Monday.

Masdar Online said Bahah went with a number of his cabinet ministers to Marib, which was liberated by UAE forces and other coalition members and national fighters a few weeks ago.

It said he held a meeting with the ministers, Marib’s governor and officials from the central governorate.

“Today we are here in Marib. Shortly we will be in Sanaa,” the network quoted Bahah as telling the ministers and Marib officials at the meeting.

He said some ministers and officials from Aden would soon move to Marib, which is around 20km east of Sanaa, the main stronghold of the Iranian-backed coup rebels.

Bahah said that his government had no intention to enter a war with the Houthis and their allies and that it wanted peace.

“The Houthis and their allies made war their priority.

“We are ready to enter peace negotiations with the coup leaders if they are sincere in abiding by UN resolutions.”

An armed robbery took place at a branch of the Yemen International Bank in Aden yesterday (Saturday).

Meanwhile, a security source told the Arabic daily newspaper ‘Al Ittihad’ that unidentified gunmen had robbed about 60 million Yemeni riyals from the bank.

The security source added that the armed gang attacked a branch of the bank in the directorate of Al Mansoura and threatened employees and office workers.

He added they proceeded to loot the treasury which contained the money and fled.  The incident is under investigation to track down the militants.
 

The UAE Armed Forces has concluded the rehabilitation and training of a new batch of members of the Yemeni resistance to join the armed forces in Yemen, affiliated with the legitimacy, after having undergone intensive training by UAE Armed Forces' trainers in various disciplines.

The members received training in field and battle skills, the use of various weapons, internal security and first aid training.

The graduation ceremony was attended by the commander of the forth governorate in Aden, Major-General Ahmed Saif Al Yafei, along with a number of officers from the armed forces of the two countries.


 

Yemen Airways will resume its flights to the UAE from Friday, November 27, after months of hiatus due to the war waged by Houthi rebels.

Adel Salam, Director of Commercial Planning Department of Yemen Airways, said the airline would begin flights to Dubai from Sayoon and Souktry airports.

In the first stage, the airline will have one flight in a week.

Salam explained that the insurance contract with the company has been renewed so the passengers will have to pay reduced insurance fees of $100 instead of $300.

Bahrain sent more troops to Yemen to take part along with UAE forces in maintaining security in liberated Aden following the return of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a Yemeni news website reported on Tuesday.

The new 300-strong force will join UAE troops that arrived in Aden in mid-November as part of troop replacement conducted by the UAE armed forces.

Yemen Press said the Bahraini force, the second to be sent by Manama to Aden in two weeks, is backed by tanks and armoured vehicles.

“The force will join UAE troops already deployed in Aden to maintain security and stability in the city,” the report said.

It quoted local residents as saying they saw the Bahraini soldiers deploying near Aden Airport and areas around foreign diplomatic missions.

The reinforcements by the UAE, Bahrain and other coalition members as well as Yemen’s national army and resistance coincided with Hadi’s return to Aden and an offensive launched by the national allies to liberate the Southwestern town of Taiz.

Heavy clashes erupted on Monday when Yemen’s national army and resistance fighters attacked coup rebel positions in the Southwestern governorate of Taiz near the strategic Bab Al Mandeb waterway, a news network reported on Tuesday.

The fighters launched an offensive against the Iranian-backed insurgents after they shelled civilian areas in the province from their positions in the surrounding hills.

Masdar Online said the attack coincided with intensive raids by Arab coalition Apache helicopters on rebel targets in that area, resulting in the death of many insurgents and the destruction of several Houthi military vehicles.

“Heavy fighting flared after the army and resistance attacked the rebels in Dhubab near Bab Al Mandeb in Taiz,” the network said, quoting local residents.

It said the army and national fighters also attacked an area near Dhubab where the Houthis and their allies receive their arms supplies.

It said coalition jets continued their raids against the rebels in other areas as the army and resistance fighters push ahead with their offensive to seize the entire Taiz.
 

President of Yemen Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi has praised the efforts made by the UAE in the liberation and re-building of Aden and neighbouring provinces.

During a meeting with the leaders of political parties and non-government organisations in Aden, President Hadi said the UAE played a significant role in regaining peace and stability, rebuilding schools and hospitals, supplying water and electricity and providing humanitarian assistance.

"The current stage requires that we join hands to ensure that life returns to normal in Aden. Soon, several schemes will be implemented in the areas of security, administration, services and development," he added.

Yemen’s national army and resistance fighters have seized many rebel positions in a week-long offensive in Taiz but the total liberation of the Southwestern city has been delayed by landmines planted by the coup insurgents, a Yemeni army general has said.

Brigadier Sadeq Sarhan, head of the military council in Taiz governorate, said the army and the resistance have occupied many areas and were advancing on other fronts, including Houban, Dhabab and Rahida, adding that they are advancing under heavy Arab coalition air cover and missile shelling of rebel targets.

“We have advanced in many areas but the liberation of the city has been delayed by landlines planted by the rebels,” he told the Saudi daily ‘Okaz’.

He said many Houthis and other rebels have been killed in heavy clashes over the past few days and that the insurgents have retaliated by shelling civilian areas.

Sarhan said air strikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition have largely supported the national army and resistance in their battles against the coup insurgents.

“These strikes have demoralized the enemy, boost the morale of the people in Taiz and other areas, and restored hope to the Yemeni people who are looking forward for an end to this nightmare,” he said.

He told the paper that the Houthi leaders and ousted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh must pay for their crimes against the people.
 

Yemen’s national army and resistance fighters backed by Arab coalition air strikes seized a key military camp controlled by the Iranian-backed coup rebels after heavy fighting that lasted more than 20 hours, a news network reported on Wednesday.

The army and resistance attacked the Omari camp overlooking the strategic Bab Al Mandeb waterway for the second time in a week and clashed with the Houthis and their allies with heavy weapons and rockets.

Masdar Online said the attack was backed by heavy air strikes carried out by the Saudi-dominated Arab coalition seeking to quell the coup and restore legitimacy to Yemen.

“After fighting of more than 20 hours, the national army and resistance men seized Omari camp and expelled all the rebels.

“Eight of our men were martyred while at least 20 rebels were killed during the clashes,” a resistance source told the network.

It said the national allies seized the camp in a major offensive last week but had to retreat shortly afterwards because of landmines and rocket shelling by the rebels.

“Our forces launched a second attack and clashed with the rebels for more than 20 years until they succeeded in fully seizing the camp on Monday night,” the source said.
 

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces announced the martyrdom of Emirati serviceman, Nasser Hassan Mohammed Al Balooshi, who this morning, succumbed to the injuries he sustained while participating in the Saudi-led Arab coalition's ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ in Yemen.

Al Balooshi, who was being treated at a hospital in Germany, was injured during the fight to liberate the historical city of Marib.

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces extended its sincere condolences to the martyr’s family, asking Allah Almighty to bless his soul and to bestow patience and solace upon his family.

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces announced the martyrdom of Emirati serviceman, Nasser Hassan Mohammed Al Balooshi, who this morning, succumbed to the injuries he sustained while participating in the Saudi-led Arab coalition's ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ in Yemen.

Al Balooshi, who was being treated at a hospital in Germany, was injured during the fight to liberate the historical city of Marib.

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces extended its sincere condolences to the martyr’s family, asking Allah Almighty to bless his soul and to bestow patience and solace upon his family.