Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived today, Sunday, at the United Arab Emirates on an official visit, accompanied by First Lady Asma al-Assad. Upon his arrival at the presidential airport in Abu Dhabi, he was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Following this, bin Zayed welcomed the Syrian president in a tweet on his official Twitter account, stating: "We held positive and constructive discussions to support and develop brotherly relations for the benefit of the two countries and their two peoples, and to enhance cooperation and coordination on issues serving stability and development in Syria and the region."
The tweet continued: "I welcome President Bashar al-Assad to the UAE. We held positive and constructive discussions to support and develop brotherly relations for the benefit of the two countries and their two peoples, and to enhance cooperation and coordination on issues serving stability and development in Syria and the region."
Additionally, several warplanes accompanied al-Assad's aircraft as it entered UAE airspace to welcome his visit, according to "SANA".
Al-Assad headed to the Al-Watan Palace to begin discussions with Sheikh bin Zayed, accompanied by a delegation that included Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Samer Khalil, Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam, Minister of Information Boutros Halak, Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan, and the Acting Syrian Ambassador in Abu Dhabi Ghassan Abbas.
Upon his arrival at Al-Watan Palace, a formal reception ceremony was held for al-Assad, where bin Zayed accompanied him to the honor platform. The Syrian national anthem was played, and 21 gun salutes were fired, while a guard of honor stood to salute him.
Al-Assad was welcomed by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court, Ali bin Hamad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Suhail bin Mohammed Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Abdullah bin Touq Al Mari, Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State.
It is expected that during the visit, the First Lady Asma al-Assad will meet with "Mother of the Emirates" Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Honorary President of the Family Development Foundation.
