Dubai Ruler Emphasizes Links To Oil-rich Abu Dhabi

ADAM SCHRECK

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai's ruler on Monday strongly emphasized the debt-burdened emirate's close ties to its oil-rich neighbor Abu Dhabi, and told critics who question the bonds between the two to "shut up."

The comments appear aimed at dispelling perceptions of a rivalry between the two emirates — both of which have spent heavily but often independently to boost their own international clout — by stressing freewheeling Dubai's place within the broader United Arab Emirates federation.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum broke away from a prepared Arabic speech detailing his belief in the underlying strength of the Dubai economy to make his point about national unity in English.

"Dubai and Abu Dhabi are one," he said. "I assure you that we'll be there for each other when we need it," he added later.

Questions about Dubai's relationship with its richer neighbor have grown louder since the global economic crisis battered the city's core industries and property market, exposing deep financial problems.

The UAE was founded in 1971 when Dubai and Abu Dhabi banded together with five smaller sheikdoms. The Gulf Arab country, an important U.S. ally just across the water from Iran, now ranks as the Arab world's second largest economy after Saudi Arabia.