Dubai, December 19th, 2006 (WAM)- H.H. Sheikh Mohammed binRashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Rulerof Dubai, received at his Za'beil Palace here this evening thevisiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They held extensivetalks covering bilateral relations and regional developments.

On developments in the Middle East, particularly Iraq, Palestine,and Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammed called for intensification of regionaland international efforts to bring about peace and security basedon just and durable solutions. He called on all parties concernedto take positive steps in pursuit of "peace, stability, and freedomfor those suffering under the yoke of occupation, such as thePalestinian people".

Sheikh Mohammed said Britain had a primary role to play infinding a solution for the region's political and security crises.

Present at the talks and banquet were General Sheikh Mohammedbin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy SupremeCommander of the UAE Armed Forces, and a number of Sheikhs, ministersand top officials.

Present at the meeting were Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,Chairman of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of EmiratesAirline, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Hamdanbin Mohammed bin Rashid, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council,Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Chairman of Dubai Technologyand Media Free Zone Authority, Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed binRashid, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of PublicWorks, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, MohammedAbdullah Al Gargawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, EisaAbdullah Al Gurg, UAE Ambassador to the UK, and Edward AnthonyOakden, British Ambassador to the UAE .