Banks play down Dubai debt threat

"It's... a high potential part of HSBC's international business mix and a region we are completely committed to," Michael Geoghegan, HSBC CEO, said.

"I am confident that the leadership of Dubai and the UAE will overcome any short-term issues they face, which appear to have been somewhat sensationalised."

(Writing by Lin Noueihed, reporting by Martina Fuchs and Enji Kiwan in Dubai, Adrian Croft, Sujata Rao, Steve Slater, Atul Prakash, Caroline Cohn in London and Michele Kambas, Editing by Mike Peacock/Ruth Pitchford)