ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 05th May, 2019) Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, has said that the UAE Armed Forces are the cornerstone of the homeland's security and its shield to stand against all those who wish to tamper with its security and capabilities.
The Chief of Staff added that the country’s Armed Forces play a major role in advancing the country's comprehensive development process, noting that they also play a vital role in maintaining regional and global security and stability and combating terrorism and extremism.
In a statement to ‘Nation Shield’, the UAE’s military journal, marking the 43rd Anniversary of the UAE's Armed Forces Unification Day, Al Rumaithi said, that on 6th May "Our honourable leadership, our nation, our people, and our valiant Armed Forces celebrate one of the greatest days of our Federal history. We recall with great pride and patriotism the efforts and vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his founding brothers.
"Since the declaration of our glorious Union, our leaders realised that development and construction must be shielded and protected and that the unity of our Armed Forces is a must to highlight the national identity and reflect the idea of union."
He added that this historic decision was the basis for building modern national Armed Forces that are in line with "the development of our country and the ambitions of our wise leadership, headed by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces."
"Our leadership has continued its march and completed its plans of incorporation with development and modernisation strategies that have made our Armed Forces a model of modern and sophisticated armies," Al Rumaithi noted.
The Armed Forces, he said, are the cornerstone of the homeland's security and its shield to stand up against all those who wish to tamper its security and capabilities.
Lt. General Al Rumaithi added that the country’s Armed Forces also play a major role in advancing the comprehensive development process.
"Our Armed Forces also play a vital role in maintaining regional and global security and stability and combating terrorism and extremism, both through their participation in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition Forces or through their missions to maintain peace, security, stability and humanitarian assistance in various regions of the world, as a commitment to the country's values and principles," he went on to say.
Al Rumaithi added, "On this day, we always remember with gratitude and appreciation the martyrs of our Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives for the homeland and the principles of the UAE to defend such as is righteous, contributing to the maintenance of peace and security in the region and the world. The UAE's martyrs will continue to light up the homeland's history throughout the ages."
"On this national occasion, I extend my sincere congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates."
"May Allah the Almighty preserve the United Arab Emirates and uphold peace, security and stability on its land and shores," he concluded.
