VIDEO: UAE will emerge 'stronger' after war: President

The United Arab Emirates will emerge "stronger" after the Middle East war, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed told Abu Dhabi TV in a rare address on Saturday, as Iran continued its retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

The UAE "is in a period of war," Sheikh Mohamed told the TV channel, but "we will emerge stronger."

Sheikh Mohamed said ‌his nation was in a ​time ⁠of war but ‌was well and told ‌his enemies it was no easy prey, in his ‌first public comments since Iran launched ⁠missiles at its Gulf neighbour amid US-Israeli strikes.

"The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh - we are no easy prey," ​

Sheikh Mohamed said in comments, made ⁠on Friday when visiting those injured in strikes, aired on Abu ​Dhabi ‌TV on Saturday.

"We will ‌carry out our duty towards our country, our people, and our ‌residents who ‌are also part ⁠of our family," ‌he said.

"Brothers and sisters and sons of the people of the State of the Emirates, and residents on its land, and our esteemed visitors,

The State of the Emirates places its security and sovereignty and the safety of its people and residents and visitors at the forefront of its priorities.. and is capable, by the grace of God Almighty, of confronting these aggressions.

I extend my thanks to our valiant armed forces and our efficient security apparatus and all the national agencies and teams for their sincere efforts in protecting the Emirates, embodying the highest levels of readiness and coordination and integration, which inspires pride and honor.

I express my deep appreciation for the awareness of our society from Emiratis and our resident brothers, partners of the homeland, who expressed their love for the Emirates in word and deed. In the Emirates, everyone is Emirati, through their love for this land and their giving to it.

We ask God to envelop the victims in His vast mercy, and to grant the injured swift recovery. The Emirates, the home of Zayed, will remain, God willing, always strong in its unity, steadfast in protecting its sovereignty, and advancing confidently toward its future."