Syrian President Bashar Assad was in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, marking his first visit to an Arab country since Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed welcomed Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to his palace and "stressed that Syria is a fundamental pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it", Emirati state news agency (WAM) reported.
At the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his wishes that this visit will pave the way for goodness, peace and stability to prevail in Syria and the entire region.
WAM said the sides emphasized "the preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria and the withdrawal of foreign forces" from the fragmented country.
They also discussed political and humanitarian support for Syria and its people to reach a peaceful solution to all the challenges it faces, WAM reported.
Assad also met Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Syrian presidency said in a statement.
Analysts say political and economic considerations loom large for Arab states that are seeking closer ties with Assad, including how to counter the influence of Iran and Turkey.
The visit sends the clearest signal yet that the Arab world is willing to re-engage with Syria’s once widely shunned president.
Syria was expelled from the 22-member Arab League and boycotted by its neighbors after the conflict broke out 11 years ago.
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