The Syrian President met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made his first visit to an Arab country since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war 11 years ago.
Assad arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and met with many influential and controversial leaders who have expressed their willingness to strengthen ties with Syria once again.
The visit represents a potential improvement in Syria’s relations with its Arab neighbors, who had previously isolated the Assad regime.
But the United States criticized the visit, saying it was “deeply disappointed”.
Among the Emiratis with whom Assad met was the billionaire ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has been involved in a number of controversies recently.
Latifa, one of his 25 children, said she was being held hostage and feared for her life after trying to flee Dubai in 2018.
Late last year, bin Rashid settled a £500 million ($660 million) divorce case with one of six wives, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who fled to Britain in 2019, and spent huge amounts of money on her personal security after receiving threatening letters. Her phone was hacked, according to court documents.
Assad met in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to Emirati media, “Bin Zayed stressed that Syria is an essential pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it.”
The two leaders reportedly discussed how the UAE could provide political and humanitarian support to Syria, as well as how to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
Pictures of President al-Assad were also taken with the owner of Manchester City Football Club, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
picture released, EPA
The Syrian President also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, owner of Manchester City Football Club
The Syrian president has made few international trips since the outbreak of the country’s long, bloody civil war in March 2011, which the United Nations says has claimed some 350,000 lives so far.
But before this visit, Assad had left the war-torn country only to visit Russia and Iran, both military backers of his regime.
The United States said it was “deeply disappointed and disturbed” by the UAE’s decision to welcome Mr. Assad.
The United States opposes efforts to normalize relations with the Syrian president, until progress is made in resolving the Syrian crisis.
“We urge countries considering dealing with the Assad regime to look carefully at the horrific atrocities the regime has committed against Syrians over the past decade,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
Along with the majority of Arab countries, the UAE cut ties with Syria shortly after the outbreak of the civil war – and at one point supported rebel fighters in their attempts to overthrow the Assad regime.
But in recent years, relations between the two countries have gradually improved, with the UAE spearheading efforts to return Syria to the Arab fold, despite Washington’s objections.
In 2018, the UAE reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and in November last year diplomats were sent there to meet President Assad.
Even if it is gradual, any improvement in relations with a wealthy Gulf state would be a boost for the Assad government, which has been hobbled by Western sanctions and international isolation.