Chirac in Abu Dhabi to give condolences on the death of Sheikh Zayed
United Arab Emirates-France, Politics, 11/6/2004

World figures continued to arrive in Abu Dhabi to give commiseration on the demise of the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan. On Friday the French President Jack Chirac and the President of Senegal Abdullah Wad arrived in Abu Dhabi, according to the UAE news agency.

Chirac met with the new UAE President Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan in the presence of the deputy chairman of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashed al-Maktoum and several UAE figures and officials. Chirac honored the memory of the late President who was " a friend whose since efforts resulted in strengthening solid relations between the UAE and France."

Chirac arrived in Abu Dhabi coming from Brussels after he shortened his participation in the European summit and did not take part in a lunch dinner brought together all European leaders with the Iraqi Interim prime minister Eyad Allawi.

The Elyesee palace explained that Chirac preferred to head for the UAE before the end of the condolences offering time on Friday evening. before leaving the French President said he has much " respect and friendship" to Sheikh Zayed, noting that the " close and solid relations between France and the UAE." Upon his arrival President of Senegal, whose country will preside over the next conference of the Organization of the Islamic conference OIC that the death of Sheikh Zayed constituted a " great loss for the Islamic nation because he was a symbol for all Islamic and humanitarian values and he is a great figure and therefore his loss caused strong sorrows for all." Abu Dhabi crown prince received a cable of condolences from the German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder handed over by the German foreign minister Yushka Fischer.

Meantime, the UAE news agency said that Dubai authority decided to pardon 556 prisoners on the death of Sheikh Zayed. N.

Previous Stories:
  UAE President confers with Chirac   (11/14/2001)
  Chirac visits the United Arab Emirates   (11/10/2001)
  UAE president confers with French foreign minister   (3/6/1999)

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