Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends James Mattis Ramadan lecture - in pictures

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince hears former US secretary of defence discuss UAE-US ties at the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed

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The UAE must keep faith in the United States despite a temptation to believe the country is "coming apart at the seams", Donald Trump's former defence secretary said.

James Mattis, who quit the senior Cabinet role late last year because of differences of opinion with the president, said unity was vital in efforts to contain adversaries such as Iran, which he blamed for the recent sabotage operations off the coast of Fujairah.

In front of an audience which included Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he repeatedly praised the UAE's leadership and its people, urging the nation to maintain its close ties with Washington.

Read more: UAE must keep faith in America, says former US defence secretary James Mattis