ABU DHABI // Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, said yesterday that the country supports Bahrain's efforts to safeguard its security and stability.
He pledged that the UAE would "not spare any effort to provide all forms of support to Bahrain to help it restore stability and growth".
The President's comments, published on the state news agency WAM, came during a visit to the UAE by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain.
Crown Prince Salman also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
WAM reported that Crown Prince Salman and Sheikh Mohammed "stressed the significance of responding to the national dialogue amid the current situation in Bahrain".
Manama has endured large protests, with some calling for political reform and a move to constitutional monarchy as well as equal opportunities for Shiites, who form a majority of the kingdom's population.
Crown Prince Salman is leading an effort at dialogue with the protesters. After initial skirmishes between the military and security forces, and protesters, the leadership pulled the troops off the streets.
Sheikh Khalifa said King Hamad al Khalifa showed "wisdom" in tackling the unrest in Bahrain, saying his decisions were intended to "boost the national solidarity in Bahrain in order to restore the security and stability".
He added the UAE was confident in King Hamad's ability to overcome Bahrain's problems through dialogue and nation-building efforts.
Crown Prince Salman flew out of the UAE from Al Ain last night.
