By IPS Correspondents
JERUSALEM, Feb 7 2003 (IPS)

The Palestinian Medical Relief (PMR) received in Ramallah yesterday five ambulances from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent Society (RCS).

Dr. Mustapha al Barghouti, PMR Chairman, received the ambulances from Sami Makkawi, UAE RCS representative. In a statement, Dr. Barghouti thanked the United Arab Emirates and its leadership, headed by President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He also thanked Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who is also the Chairman of the UAE RCS, for their continuous support to the Palestinian people.

He said that the five ambulances would enhance the work of the PMR, adding that the ambulances would be distributed to the various Palestinian provinces.

Makkawi said that the PMR enjoys the respect and good reputation of the international institutions and organizations, including the UAE RCS. This, he said, is due to its various pragmatic programs in the field of practical medical services and other areas.

He said that the UAE had supported 175 projects in Palestine, including the Al Maqasid Hospital in Jerusalem, the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Ramallah and the Sheikha Salama Hospital in Nablus, adding that each of the three hospitals had received from the UAE a monetary assistance of US$300,000.

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