JOSH LEDERMAN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden says he never meant to imply that the United Arab Emirates was supporting al-Qaida fighters in Syria.

Biden spoke Sunday with Prince Mohamed bin Zayed (zy-EHD’), crown prince of Abu Dhabi and a key Emirati leader. It’s the second time in two days that Biden had to call a key Arab partner in President Barack Obama’s coalition to walk back comments he made last week.

Biden had said U.S. allies including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had funded and armed extremist groups linked to al-Qaida. The UAE was exasperated and requested a formal clarification.

The White House says Biden clarified his remarks and recognized the UAE’s strong steps to counter extremists and participation in U.S.-led airstrikes.

On Saturday, Biden apologized to Turkey over similar remarks.

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