2009-06-30 00:42:10
WAM Sirt, Libya, Jun. 29, 2009 (WAM) -- The Arab Group (Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Somalia and Djibouti) in the African Union (AU) have welcomed the choice of UAE as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The AU Commission and the 28-member Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) have also expressed happiness on the UAE's achievement.

Libyan Secretary for International Cooperation Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Mohammed Seyala, expressed his country's happiness and congratulated the UAE government and people for the great achievement. "UAE's achievement is Libya's achievement and UAE's happiness is our happiness," he said, adding that the achievement was for the entire Arab region.

He attributed the achievement to the great efforts exerted by Arab countries which, together with their friendly countries in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world, rallied behind the UAE to make the latter's efforts a success.

Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul Ghait, congratulated the UAE government and people for the achievement, while Sudanese Minister of State for foreign Affairs, Al-Samani Al-Wasila, underscored the significance of UAE hosting the IRENA headquarters.

AU Commission Chairman, Jean Ping, said the achievement underscores the freedom and determination of the Third World and the Developing World. "The African Union Commission is very happy with this achievement which the UAE so much deserved," he added.

WAM/SA