DUBAI, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on Monday to grant refugees suffering from wars and disasters a 12-month stay in the Gulf country, state news agency WAM reported.

The council, chaired by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, decided to offer people from war-torn or disaster-struck countries a one-year stay "so that their living conditions improve or will be able to return to their countries."

The new decision comes amid the ongoing UAE efforts "to strengthen its position as an incubator for people around the the world and a second homeland for all nationalities and different sects," WAM said.

Earlier last week, the UAE government decided to grant free passage to those who stay illegally in the Gulf state if they present a valid return flight ticket to their home country and leave voluntarily.