US Vice-President Joe Biden vowed on Monday that the US and its allies will "squeeze the heart" of Daesh and destroy the group.

"We have to squeeze the heart of Daesh in Iraq and Syria so they can't continue to pump their poison in the region and around the world" Biden said while addressing a gathering in Abu Dhabi. He added that the group comprised "criminals and cowards". "You control the skies over Iraq and Syria and as a matter of fact you control the skies over the whole damn world" Biden said.

Following his visit to the UAE Biden will travel to Tel Aviv Ramallah and Amman. He is accompanied by wife Jill on this trip which will include talks on US economic and energy interests as well as security concerns about Iran and the conflict in Syria the White House has said.

Earlier in the day Biden visited Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi where he examined a wall bearing the 99 names of God written in Arabic.

Later in the day Biden visited Masdar City and saw the model of a desalination plant. He quipped when the UAE Minister of State Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber handed him a bottle of water. "Watch what happens when I take the first sip. I'm more energized" Biden said and then asked "Do you need a partner? I'm out of a job soon."