Friday, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad met Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum in Dubai, the Syrian presidency said in a statement.

The presidency said that during the meeting, the ruler of Dubai welcomed the visit of al-Assad and the accompanying delegation, expressing his sincere wishes for Syria and its people that security and peace prevail throughout the region.

The presidency added that the meeting dealt with many regional issues. They also discussed relations between the two countries and ways to expand the circle of bilateral cooperation, especially at the economic, investment and commercial levels.

The Syrian President also met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, according to the Emirati state news agency (WAM).

The agency indicated that bin Zayed was briefed by President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments on the Syrian arena.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a number of issues of common concern, emphasized the preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria and the withdrawal of foreign forces, in addition to political and humanitarian support for Syria and its people to reach a peaceful solution to all the challenges it faces, the agency reported.

Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that Syria is a fundamental pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people towards stability and development.

They also exchanged the two countries' positions on all regional and international issues and developments of common interest, according to WAM.