Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, on Friday, in Assad’s first visit to an Arab country since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011.
The meeting took place at the Shati Palace, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his wishes that “this visit will be the beginning of good, peace and stability for sisterly Syria and the entire region,” he said.
Mohammed bin Zayed stressed that Syria “is a fundamental pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people towards stability and development,” according to Wam.
The UAE Prime Minister, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, received Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Syrian President, in Dubai.
Mohammed bin Rashid receives Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Dubai, within the framework of brotherly relations between the two countries. #UAE https://t.co/AhaJlAOEnv
And the media office of the Government of Dubai published pictures of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s reception of Assad, in the presence of a number of Emirati and Syrian officials.
The ruler of Dubai expressed his “sincere wishes for brotherly Syria and its honorable people that security and peace prevail in all parts of it, and that all elements of stability and prosperity prevail in the region and in the region for the good and development of all,” according to the media office.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added, “The UAE is keen to discover new paths of constructive cooperation with Syria, and to monitor opportunities through which various aspects of cooperation can be pushed forward to achieve the interests of the two brotherly peoples,” according to the office.
Al-Assad had arrived at Dubai International Airport and was received by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, before leaving the country from Al Bateen Airport, where he was bid farewell to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
It is noteworthy that this is the first visit of the Syrian President to an Arab country since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011.