Think I'll take him to the embassy here in the UAE and see what they say. I guess as with all things ambassadorial, it will depend what rules they're looking at, and if they're in a good mood.
I have a 'genuine' CENOMAR with red ribbon, but it comes from a dubious source in the DFA who was linked to our first annulment lawyer who turned out to be a total crook. But that's a story for another thread..