Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrives in UAE on official visit

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during an official visit to the UAE. (WAM)

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad arrived in the UAE on Sunday for an official visit, accompanied by his wife Asma Al-Assad, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.

They were received by the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan upon their arrival at the presidential airport in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said he held “constructive talks” with his Syrian counterpart “aimed at developing relations between our two countries.”

“Our discussions also explored ways of enhancing cooperation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tweeted.

أرحب بالرئيس بشار الأسد في الإمارات، أجرينا مباحثات إيجابية وبناءة لدعم العلاقات الأخوية وتنميتها لمصلحة البلدين والشعبين الشقيقين، وتعزيز التعاون والتنسيق في القضايا التي تخدم الاستقرار والتنمية في سوريا والمنطقة. pic.twitter.com/YmFywsG83X

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 19, 2023

Al-Assad was welcomed in an official ceremony where the Syrian national anthem was played and received a canon salute as his convoy entered Qasr Al Watan. Assad’s plane was greeted by Emirati fighter jets

“I welcomed President Bashar Al Assad of Syria to the UAE today, and we held constructive talks aimed at developing relations between our two countries,” Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

“Our discussions also explored ways of enhancing co-operation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region.”

Mr Al Assad last visited the UAE last March, marking his first trip to an Arab country since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, said there is a need to bring Syria and its government back into the fold.

“A decade and a half of war, violence and destruction is enough, and the time has come to enhance co-operation and collaboration among our Arab countries to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.

“The UAE's approach and efforts towards brotherly Syria are part of a deeper vision and a broader approach aimed at strengthening Arab and regional stability, overcoming difficult years of confrontation.

“The events associated with the decade of chaos and their repercussions have proven that our Arab world is more deserving of addressing its issues and crises, away from regional and international interference.”

In January, Mr Al Assad welcomed Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, to Damascus.