Abu Dhabi, Dec. 17, 2006 (WAM) -- President H.H. Sheikh Khalifabin Zayed Al Nahyan today at the Al Mushref Palace held a meetingwith visiting Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad.

During the meeting, the UAE President warmly welcomed his Syriancounterpart, saying that the visit would contribute immenselyin boosting further the bilateral ties between the two countries.

They discussed ways of boosting bilateral relations and reviewedthe latest developments on the regional and international scenes.

Also discussed were topics of mutual concern and means to enhancecooperation in different spheres.

The two Arab leaders reiterated their commitment to boostingcooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areasof economy and investment, for the mutual interest of their countriesand peoples. They also reiterated their countries' commitmentto activating joint Arab action, consultation and coordinationin all issues of interest to the Arab nation.

President Assad expressed profound happiness for visiting theUAE and meeting with the UAE President. He said the visit waspart of his commitment to boost bilateral ties between the UAEand Syria in a way that would further open wider avenues of jointcooperation and coordination between the two countries in theareas of economy, trade and investment.

Sheikh Khalifa later held a luncheon in honour of his guest andhis accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan,National Security Advisor, Interior Minister Lt. General SheikhSaif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Chairman of Abu Dhabi Amiri Flights, Sheikh Mansour bin ZayedAl Nahyan, minister of Presidential Affairs, Foreign MinisterSheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Sultan bin HamdanAl Nahyan, the President's Advisor, Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, DeputyMinister of Presidential Affairs, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri,Minister of Government Sector Development and Head of the HonoraryMission, Yousif Mohammed Al Madfaie, UAE Ambassador to Syriaand Najwa Al Rifaee, Syrian Charge D'affaires.