Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, attend the talks at Al Shati Palace. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, attend the talks at Al Shati Palace. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, attend the talks at Al Shati Palace. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, attend the talks at Al Shati Palace. Photo

Sheikh Mohamed's talks with Al Shara show commitment to Syria's progress, Dr Anwar Gargash says


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Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, on Tuesday spoke of the importance of Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara's visit to the Emirates as his country rebuilds after more than a decade of civil war.

Talks between Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Al Shara in Abu Dhabi on Monday came at a "pivotal stage" in Syria's history, Dr Gargash said on X.

Sheikh Mohamed set out the UAE's "steadfast support" for the Syrian people and all efforts to promote development and stability in the country, during discussions at Al Shati Palace. The Syrian leader expressed his thanks to Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE's support and his commitment to bolstering ties between the nations.

Dr Gargash said the meeting – the second between the two leaders in the UAE since Mr Al Shara came to power – embodied "the depth of fraternal relations and affirms the UAE's commitment to Syria's success in this pivotal stage".

"The economic and developmental axis was at the core of this meeting, while the inspiring success of the large Syrian community in the UAE, numbering approximately 400,000 people, represents one of the keys to co-operation and the UAE's pivotal role," said Dr Gargash, who was among the Emirati delegation at the meeting.

  • President Sheikh Mohamed receives Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed receives Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Presidential Court
  • Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Al Shara discussed ways to enhance co-operation between their countries and exchanged views on regional developments
    Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Al Shara discussed ways to enhance co-operation between their countries and exchanged views on regional developments
  • Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to stability and prosperity in Syria during the meeting
    Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to stability and prosperity in Syria during the meeting
  • Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Mr Al Shara
    Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Mr Al Shara
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, receives Mr Al Shara at Al Bateen Executive Airport
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, receives Mr Al Shara at Al Bateen Executive Airport
  • Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, at Qasr Al Shati
    Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, at Qasr Al Shati
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan and Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President, at Qasr Al Shati
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan and Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President, at Qasr Al Shati
  • A guard of honour at Al Bateen Executive Airport
    A guard of honour at Al Bateen Executive Airport

"Economic and developmental success is capable of setting Syria on the path to recovery and prosperity."

Mr Al Shara, who led the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham rebel group that ousted Syria's former president Bashar Al Assad, is looking to improve relations with Arab neighbours and Gulf states following the civil war.

During his first trip to the UAE April, he was received by Sheikh Mohamed, who pledged support for Syria’s reconstruction.

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

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Key developments

All times UTC 4

Australia tour of Pakistan

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

Updated: July 09, 2025, 5:10 AM