UAE backs Morocco's decision to cut ties with Iran

DUBAI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed on Wednesday its "full solidarity" with the Kingdom of Morocco in confronting all threats to its security, safety and stability, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE strongly condemns Iran's intervention in the internal affairs of Morocco through Hezbollah's "terrorist militias," the report quoted the ministry as saying.

These militias, the UAE said, are training the elements of the so-called "Polisario" group in order to destabilize the security and stability in the Kingdom of Morocco.

On Tuesday, Morocco decided to sever relationships with Iran over its backing to Western Sahara's separatist movement the Polisario Front, the Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said.

Bourita said Morocco will expel the Iranian ambassador in Rabat and will close its embassy in Tehran.

The Moroccan foreign minister said his country has "strong evidence of Iran's involvement through its proxy Hezbollah in supporting the Polisario Front financially and through training of its members to undermine Morocco's security and stability."

The UAE said in its statement it stands by Morocco in any action it takes to ensure its security and stability, including any decisive decision it takes regarding Iranian interventions.

The statement also reaffirmed its historical position in support of the territorial integrity of Morocco.

The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, blames Iran of meddling in Arab affairs by supporting Shiite Houthi militias in Yemen where the two Gulf states have been supporting the government in a pan-Arab military campaign against the Houthis since March 2015. Enditem