Yousef Al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, said he was confident the deal to sell F-35s to his country would be concluded after President Joe Biden's administration reviewed some of the pending arms sales to US allies.
On the last day of former President Donald Trump in office, the UAE struck deals to buy up to 50 F-35s, 18 armed drones and other defense equipment in a deal worth $ 23 billion.
"We did everything as it should, and they will find out as soon as the review is completed and (the deal) will be completed," Otaiba said during an online forum organized by The Washington Institute on Monday.
He described the review as "pro forma".
A State Department official said last month that the Biden administration had decided to temporarily suspend some arms sales to US allies with a view to reviewing them.
"At the time the review is going on, everything is still going," Al-Otaiba said. "I am sure it will end in the right place."
"If you are going to be less present and involved in the Middle East, you cannot at the same time deprive your partners, who you expect them to do more, of the tools," he added.
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