His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on Wednesday opened the first regular term in the Federal National Council's (FNC) 16th legislative chapter at the council's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The opening ceremony was organised under the patronage of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman; His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain and His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah attended the inauguration.

After the rendition of the UAE national anthem Shaikh Mohammed inspected the Guard of Honour.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman Shaikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Crown Prince of Fujairah and Shaikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain also attended the event.

After reading the decree Majid Hamad Al Shamsi the oldest member among FNC members delivered a speech stressing the commitment of FNC to the directives of the wise leadership aimed to promote the role of FNC to achieve its national message to serve the nation and Emiratis.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid delivered the inauguration speech of the regular term in the FNC's 16th legislative chapter saying: "In the name of Allah today we open the session and congratulate our people and its leadership on the occasion. I wish you good luck to enhance pillars of the Union laid by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the founding fathers Supreme Council Members Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates."

Shaikh Mohammed said that holding FNC session today came amid circumstances and challenges in which the country has become stronger and more coherent between the people and the leadership. He also praised the acts of heroism shown by the UAE Armed Forces through their national achievements.

He called on members of FNC to be the link between the government and the UAE citizens across the country stressing: "Our beloved country preserves its national gains through sacrifices of its brave Armed Forces." He also called them to be committed to national duties and serve their country and their community."

At the end of his speech Shaikh Mohammed wished everyone good luck to serve the homeland. Meanwhile Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Supreme Council Members Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates and new members of FNC posed for photographs.

Shaikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Security Advisor; Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foreign Minister; Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Culture Youth and Community Development; Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs; and Khalifa Saeed Suleiman Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai as well as a number of senior civil and military officials were also present. - Wam