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21:18 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (KUNA) -- The US Central Command on Thursday welcomed the United Arab Emirates into the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).
"I appreciate the UAE's decision to join the IMSC and in taking an active role in securing the freedom of navigation for ships transiting the region and in contributing to the maintenance of security and stability in the region," Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of the US Central Command, said in a statement.
"We appreciate the United Arab Emirates' leading role in regional security matters and welcome their commitment to preserving the free flow of commerce, which is a linchpin of the global economy," he noted.
Threats to the freedom of navigation are an international problem requiring an international solution, he said.
"We are pleased that the United Arab Emirates will be joining the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Australia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Kingdom, and the United States as part of that solution," he stated.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier in the day expressed his country's appreciation to the UAE and Saudi Arabia's decisions to join the IMSC.
On Twitter, he wrote that the US appreciates the two decisions by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two friendly countries, on the IMSC. (end)
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