DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United Arab Emirates says it wants “a formal clarification” of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s recent comments that its allies in the Middle East sent weapons and cash to extremists fighting in Syria.
Biden already apologized to Turkey over his comments, made Thursday during a question-and-answer session at Harvard.
On Sunday, the UAE’s official news agency carried a statement from Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash calling Biden’s comments “far from the truth.” Gargash said the comments “gave a negative and inaccurate impression” about the UAE’s support in confronting the Islamic State group.
The UAE is a key Arab partner in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group and has targeted its fighters in airstrikes in Syria.