Dr Amal Al Qubaisi is the new speaker of the Federal National Council, making her the region’s first female leader of a national assembly. Eight other women sit on the 40-member council in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. In her speech at the inaugural session, Dr Qubaisi hailed the Emirati soldiers fighting in Yemen as part of the Arab coalition in Operation Restoring Hope. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai inaugurated the 16th legislative term of the FNC yesterday.

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