UAE cabinet says supports Sheikh Khalifa

The UAE cabinet expressed pride at the alleged support shown by the people for President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan and their adherence to "the Union, its foundations, its institutions, the Constitution and their unwavering faith and loyalty to the motherland." The Cabinet also expressed pride at what it claims was "the people's complete rejection of attempts to interfere in the UAE." The latter claim is a reference to the 35 arrests made for offenses including  “crimes against state security”, “opposing the UAE constitution and ruling system”, and having ties to "foreign organizations and agendas”. The affluent Arab country was described by Amnesty International of engaging in a "crackdown on peaceful dissent." Political parties and freedom of expression are censored and in some cases banned in the UAE. At a meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai and cabinet reviewed a statement issued by the Office of the UAE Attorney General on the outcome of the investigations made so far in regards to recent political arrests. The statement contained the findings of the investigation which concluded: "these individuals  had conspired to set up links with external elements and had worked in an organised and systematic manner, causing harm to the country and spreading false information in order to incite others against the country and to distort UAE's image to the world and thus had violated all of the principles on which the country is established in clear violation of the Constitution and the guiding principles and norms to which we adhere." A statement by Amnesty International expressed concern over those arrested as "the whereabouts of all 35 are unknown and they are thought to be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment which Amnesty International has previously documented in the UAE." The Cabinet said that the UAE will continue with full confidence in its humanitarian mission based on tolerance, moderation and openness. It stated the UAE is moving forward with its development programmes in various political, economic and social fields. These have the goal of consolidating the March of the Union and of strengthening the achievements made over the past four decades. Additional reporting by Arabstoday.