Burj Khalifa lights up in colours of Belgian flag as UAE condemns attacks

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed the country's rejection of terrorism and offered condolences to Belgium.

Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi lit up in the colours of the Belgian flag to show support following terrorist attacks in Brussels. Courtesy Jonathan Gibbons Photography

ABU DHABI // National landmarks lit up in the colours of Belgium’s flag last night as the UAE condemned the terrorist attacks.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed the country’s condemnation of what he called cowardly terrorist acts that targeted innocent civilians.

He reiterated the UAE’s rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism, which he said targeted all races and religions indiscriminately.

He emphasised the country’s solidarity with the Belgian government and people from the UAE’s position of rejecting all manifestations of terrorism regardless of motivation and justification, no matter where and when they are committed or by whom.

He called for the international community to work to eradicate terrorism and expressed condolences to Belgians.

“Our hearts and concern is for the families of the victims of the terror attack in Brussels,” Dr Gargash said. “We feel their pain and vow to stand united with them.”

All Emiratis currently in Brussels are safe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Tuesday, although it warned UAE nationals against travelling to Belgium because of the current security situation.

Belgium has raised its state of preparedness to four, the highest level.

Emiratis in Brussels should avoid public transport and be cautious in public places until calm is restored.

They should also pay attention to alerts issued by the UAE Embassy in Belgium and the Belgium government, the ministry said.

The Embassy posted emergency telephone numbers for Emiratis: 0032 47 2222228 and 0032 49 6800009.

Suleiman Al Mazroui, the UAE Ambassador to Belgium, said the Embassy has implemented emergency protocols and warned all nationals in Brussels to follow the instructions sent to them by the embassy. “All Emirati nationals in Belgium were accounted for and unharmed,” he said.