Syrian president discussed ME developments, bilateral relations with Sheikh Zayed

President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday in Abu Dhabi met with the President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan.

During the meeting President al-Assad congratulated Sheikh Zayed for his safe return from a recent medical treatment trip, wishing him speedy recovery and good health.

The UAE President expressed his deep satisfaction over the development of ties with Syria. He said that the consolidation of bilateral relations is reached thanks to the efforts of the late President Hafez al-Assad.

After a plenary meeting between the two presidents attended by ministers and members of the executive bureau of the UAE, a close-door meeting was held between President Zayed and President al-Assad during which they discussed conditions in the region and the importance of receiving pan—Arab solidarity and strengthening joint Arab action to confront hostile challenges.

Discussions also dealt with the relations between the two brotherly countries and the mutual desire to promote these ties for mutual benefits.

Simultaneously, the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and the minister for foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan and the UAE information minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Discussions dealt with means of developing friendship and co-operation relations between the two sisterly countries in different areas.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian president and members of the accompanying delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi in an official visit to the UAE. The President was welcomed by Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al- Nahyan and high ranking UAE officials.