Gates in UAE to discuss matter of Middle East

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to discuss with United Arab Emirates officials the waves of popular protests sweeping the Middle East.

Gates arrived from Iraq about 5:30 pm (1330 GMT).

During his brief visit, Gates is to meet with Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy commander of the UAE armed forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, according to those travelling with him.

A senior defence official said that Gates will reaffirm the US administration's approach to protests, namely that reforms are necessary but should be accomplished from evolutionary change, rather than through revolution.

"We believe that the demonstrations have to be non-violent and the reactions of the governments have to be nonviolent," Gates said in remarks before US soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan.

"Beyond those principles, we need to take each country at a time," he said.