Assad's UAE visit aims to facilitate aid routes, Syria's return to Arab League
Proposals to facilitate humanitarian aid and bring Syria back into the Arab League topped the agenda in the Syrian president’s second visit to the United Arab Emirates since the beginning of the civil war.
DUBAI — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday on his second official visit to the United Arab Emirates. Discussions on bringing Syria back into the Arab League are gaining momentum, as well as on ways to bring more economic aid into the country.
Assad was greeted upon his arrival in the oil-rich country with great ceremony. Fighter jets escorted the Syrian delegation into UAE airspace and it was welcomed by the country's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on the tarmac. Syria's First Lady Asma al-Assad was personally welcomed by UAE's First Lady Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in a rare public appearance.
The trip came at a high point of Arab reengagement with Assad after years of his political isolation and amid efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab League. It was expelled in 2011 following Assad's brutal crackdown on the uprising. The visit to the UAE followed Assad's trip to Russia last week and to Oman last month.
Time for Syria to return to Arab fold, UAE president tells Assad. Images of the week pic.twitter.com/NnMOcxuqcD
