DUBAI (Reuters) – UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discussed bolstering “brotherly” ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.
The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels on Dec. 8.
The UAE’s foreign minister reiterated the country’s support for Syria’s independence and sovereignty, WAM added.
Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE’s minister of state for defence affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.
The UAE is part of Shibani’s second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to “support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships”, according to his account on X.
Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria’s political transition.
(Reporting by Clauda Tanios and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alex Richardson)
