ABU DHABI, March 26, 2019, SPA -- The United Arab Emirates has expressed its deep regret and condemnation of the recognition by the United States of the Syrian Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory, describing it as a move that disrupts all efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East. In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC, stressed that there is no possibility of achieving stability and peace in the region as long as Israel continues its occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories. The Ministry's statement affirmed the UAE's firm position in recognising the Golan Heights as Syrian territory, adding that the decision by the US Administration cannot change this reality. The MoFAIC statement reaffirmed the necessity of abiding by UN Security Council resolutions No. 242 of 1967 and 497 of 1981 and the principles set out in the Arab Peace Initiative concerning a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights. --SPA 13:43 LOCAL TIME 10:43 GMT 0011 www.spa.gov.sa/w1072918