Sheikh Al-Nahyan urges Arabs to unite

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan al-Nahyan, has urged Arab countries to work together to end the international sanctions on Iraq.

The call was made in a speech read on the sheik's behalf before an annual meeting of Arab parliamentarians in Abu Dhabi.

He also called on Arab governments to support the UAE in its dispute with Iran over three strategic islands in the Gulf , Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb.

He said Iran must be made to realise that its ties with Arab neighbours were in danger unless it agreed to conduct a dialogue over the future of the disputed islands. The three Gulf islands were occupied by Iran in 1971 after Britain's withdrawal from the region.

Tehran maintains the islands are Iranian territory and has repeatedly rejected calls from the UAE for a settlement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service