DUBAI, May 31 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates withdrew from a U.S.-led Middle East maritime security coalition two months ago after evaluating its security relationships, the Gulf state said early on Wednesday.
The Combined Maritime Forces is a 34-nation task force, headquartered at the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, working on security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf areas.
"As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM.
Five weeks ago, Iran seized two tankers within a week in Gulf waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Navy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Persons:
Lisa Barrington, Christopher Cushing
Organizations:
United Arab Emirates, Combined Maritime Forces, U.S, UAE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wall, U.S . Navy, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thomson
Locations:
DUBAI, U.S, East, Bahrain, United States, Iran, UAE, Hormuz, Dubai