U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris plans to discuss efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal in her meeting on Monday with the United Arab Emirates president, according to a White House official.

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with President Joe Biden on Monday at the White House for the first visit by an Emirati leader to the United States since the UAE's founding in 1971.

The meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was expected to focus on Gaza, the war in Sudan and artificial intelligence. Vice President Kamala Harris is also scheduled to meet with the leader.

WASHINGTON >> President Joe Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates as a major defense partner of the United States on Monday after talks with its president on topics that included the war in Gaza and growing Middle East instability.

US President Joe Biden met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday for talks on conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan -- despite concerns over the Gulf power's own role in the Sudan conflict.

President Joe Biden on Monday recognised the UAE as a major defence partner, after a historic White House meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed. According to a US-UAE joint statement that also urged support for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza,