Article Posted on : - Jan 25, 2014

DUBAI (PTI): The UAE has decided to make military service compulsory for all adult males, but kept it optional for women, the Gulf nation's prime minister has said.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the cabinet has approved compulsory military service for all men aged between 18 and 30.

The service will be optional for women, the Gulf news reported.

"The National Service will be mandatory for all male UAE nationals, above 18 yrs, or high school grads; it will be voluntary for females," Shaikh Mohammad wrote on his official Twitter handle.

"The Service will cover military training at the armed forces, 9 months for high school grads & 2 yrs for those with less than high school."

"Our message to the world is a message of peace; the stronger we are, the stronger our message," wrote Shaikh Mohammad, also vice-president and ruler of Dubai.