Lead:
The United Arab Emirates marked a significant day across multiple policy fronts on Tuesday, June 29, 2026. The country launched its inaugural passenger rail service connecting Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, lifting over 10,000 pre-sold tickets ahead of departure. Simultaneously, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lifted a travel ban on Lebanon effective the same date, and issued a formal condemnation of Israeli military incursions into Syrian territory, signaling active engagement on both domestic infrastructure and regional diplomatic fronts.
Details:
Al Khaleej reports that the first passenger train under the Etihad Rail network departed Fujairah station at 5:34 a.m., arriving at Mohammed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7:45 a.m. More than 10,000 tickets were sold before operations commenced, reflecting strong public demand. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy President and Deputy Prime Minister, described the rail launch as a national achievement reinforcing development and prosperity, tracing the project's vision to the founding principles of the federation. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, reviewed education infrastructure projects on the same day, reaffirming that building a future-ready generation remains a central state objective.
On the diplomatic front, Al Khaleej and the UAE state news service both report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the lifting of the travel restriction on Lebanon effective Monday, June 29, 2026, urging citizens to register through official consular tracking services prior to travel. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly thanked President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the decision, describing it as a meaningful gesture of solidarity between the two nations.
Regarding Syria, Al Khaleej and the state news service report that the UAE issued a strongly worded condemnation of Israeli military incursions into the Syrian governorates of Quneitra and Daraa, including the use of artillery shells targeting civilian areas. The UAE affirmed its full rejection of any violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for restraint and respect for international law.
Al Khaleej also reports that UAE and Ethiopian officials met in Addis Ababa to discuss bilateral cooperation in emergency and crisis management, with Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, head of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, meeting Ethiopian counterpart Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam.
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