Assad Makes First Visit to Arab Nation Since Syria War Began, Traveling to the UAE for Talks
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has moved to repair relations with Arab nations that opposed him during a war that devastated his country for 11 years, traveling to the UAE for talks on improving ties.
Assad met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi and with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on Friday (March 18), marking his first visit to another Arab nation since the fighting in Syria began in 2011. The leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation—particularly in terms of investment and economic relations.
The U.S. reacted to the talks by saying it was “profoundly disappointed and troubled by this apparent attempt to legitimize” Assad.
