ABU DHABI // Mohammed Al Ameri has waited a decade to fulfil his dream of becoming an FNC member.
Undeterred by failure to win office in2006, he now has a seat after being appointed to the vacancy left by Noura Al Kaabi.
After she was appointed Minister of State for Federal National Council affairs, she had to resign as a member, and Mr Al Ameri is her replacement.
Mr Al Ameri, who has a military background, said national security and beating terrorism were his goals.
“I want to stress that combating terrorism is a priority and [it] will benefit the whole world,” he said. “If the world becomes stable, so will the UAE.”
A 1973 graduate of Zayed Military College, he then started his career with the Armed Forces and held a succession of posts, including weaponry commander of chemical warfare, weaponry commander of engineers, head of training, head of arming, and inspector general.
Mr Al Ameri holds a master’s degree in military sciences, and a degree from the Nasser High Military Academy in Egypt where his research into security was graded “excellent”.
After his retirement in 1998, he was appointed as civil defence chief for five years. “Then I took a warrior’s break and now I am back.”
He was still in his post as director general of civil defence when he stood in the first FNC election in 2006. His electoral campaign focused on education, health and security.
“Luck was not on my side back then, and now the Government has honoured me with this appointment.”
He said he was keen to learn from other members about how the FNC worked.
“I don’t want to be ahead of events, I want to benefit from what has already been raised.”
He was also keen to serve on committees, although he has yet to decide which ones. “We leave the choice to the Speaker and members. I will work on any committee that the Speaker sees fit.”
During her membership, Ms Al Kaabi was a member of the financial, economic and industrial affairs committee.
hdajani@thenational.ae
