UAE president, British PM discuss Gaza, regional peace efforts

ABU DHABI - United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke Monday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about strengthening bilateral cooperation and developments in the Middle East, the UAE's state news agency WAM reported.

During a phone call, the two leaders reviewed the latest situation in the region, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, WAM said. They stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring the continued, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians.

The president and Starmer also underscored the urgent need to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to regional stability and a better future for all peoples in the region.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the long-standing UAE-Britain partnership to advance shared interests and promote prosperity, WAM reported.

According to a statement from the British prime minister's office, the two sides also discussed the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Starmer said Britain is urging all parties to cease hostilities and support efforts toward peace.

On Gaza, the British statement said both leaders agreed that the priority must be to support implementation of the US-brokered peace plan, including the decommissioning of Hamas weaponry, and to sustain the ceasefire as a step toward lasting peace in the region.