Syria's Assad visits UAE to mark an ongoing thaw in relations
Bashar Assad, the President of Syria, arrived in the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, marking a continuation of the ongoing thaw of relations between Syria and other Arab countries. It was Assad’s second trip to a Gulf nation in a month since the devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria last month. It was also Assad's third visit to the UAE since the civil war broke out in Syria. Assad arrived in the UAE with his wife, Asma, and a few Syrian officials. The Syrian president was received by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a statement from Assad’s office. The Syrian leader received a canon salute as his convoy entered the royal palace in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, as reported by the official news agency WAM. The UAE and the Syrian leaders discussed ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and accelerate stability and progress in Syria. The UAE President reportedly said in a statement, "Syria has been...