Lead:
The United Arab Emirates recorded a dense schedule of diplomatic, legislative, and institutional activity on Thursday. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conducted bilateral telephone consultations with the Sultan of Oman, issued federal decrees appointing senior officials, and awarded a high state decoration to the French ambassador. Simultaneously, Dubai authorities formally contested a Reuters report on alleged explosions in the city center, while UAE leadership extended condolences to Qatar following the death of a senior member of the Qatari ruling family.
Details:
According to Al Khaleej and Newsd, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone call with his counterpart Sultan Haytham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman, during which the two leaders discussed fraternal relations and the latest regional developments. The call reflects ongoing bilateral coordination between Abu Dhabi and Muscat at a time of elevated regional sensitivity. Separately, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, conveyed condolences by phone to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, following the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a prominent figure of the Qatari ruling house.
Al Khaleej reports that President Mohamed bin Zayed issued a federal decree appointing Brigadier General Dr. Jasim Mohamed Hassan Al Marzouqi as Director General of the Federal Authority for Civil Defense and Ambulance, transferred from the Ministry of Interior. A separate decree named Dr. Ahmed Sultan Nasser Al Shuaibi as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The President also awarded Nicolas Niemtchinov, Ambassador of the French Republic, the Zayed Medal Second Class, First Grade, in recognition of his service to UAE-France relations.
Newsd and Al Khaleej both report that the Dubai Government Media Office issued a formal denial of a Reuters report alleging that explosion sounds had been heard in central Dubai. The office described the information circulated by Reuters as inaccurate and called on media organizations to avoid amplifying unverified reports. In parallel, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy President and Chairman of the Financial Stability Council, chaired the body's latest board meeting, while Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid approved a new National Framework for Licensing Higher Education Institutions, aimed at establishing a unified national reference for institutional governance and investor facilitation.
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