UAE armed forces chief of staff receives Zayed Military Order

Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi has served in military for nearly 50 years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, right, presents the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Military Order to Lt Gen Hamad Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff of UAE Armed Forces. All photos: MOPA

Lt Gen Al Rumaithi received the order in recognition of his long and distinguished military career.

HE Major General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Commander of the UAE Air Forces and Air Defence, left, and HE Major General Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces.

The UAE Armed Forces band performs.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Abu Mureikha site in Abu Dhabi, where the UAE’s first traditional Hindu temple will be located.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed signs a guestbook during the tour.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed tours the Abu Mureikha site.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours an exhibition at the Abu Mureikha site.

The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has honoured Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi with the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Military Order in recognition of his long and distinguished military career.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, conferred the honour on Lt Gen Al Rumaithi on Thursday during a ceremony held in Abu Mureikha, a historical building where the agreement to unify the armed forces in the UAE was signed on May 6, 1976.

Sheikh Mohamed said Lt Gen Al Rumaithi had been a role model in leadership and planning for the generations of military personnel who have learned from his experience during his nearly 50-year career.

“Honouring Al Rumaithi today with the Zayed Order is a tribute to the sublime meanings and values Al Rumaithi embodies to the establishment to which he belongs and which boasts a special place in everyone's hearts,” said Sheikh Mohamed.

Lt Gen Al Rumaithi thanked the UAE's leaders for the honour.

Sheikh Mohamed also toured the Abu Mureikha building and was briefed on the development and modernisation work that took place in the building and its facilities.

He expressed his thanks and appreciation to those working in the rehabilitation of such historical landmarks and sites that have witnessed significant milestones in the history of the nation.