Sheikh Mohammed meets British PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is welcomed to Downing Street.

epa02411797 British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) greets His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the steps of N10 Downing Street in London Great Britain on 25 October 2010. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on na working visit to Britain  EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met the British prime minister in London yesterday.

David Cameron welcomed Sheikh Mohammed to 10 Downing Street at around noon for a private meeting during which the two had lunch. Mr Cameron said the UK attaches great importance to relations with the UAE and always seeks to strengthen them for the benefits of the two countries.

Downing Street would reveal no further details of the visit, other than to say it had been arranged some time ago.

Mr Cameron last met Sheikh Mohammed in June, when the British leader discussed UK-UAE trade relations during a tour of the region.

During that visit, Mr Cameron reiterated the strong ties between the two countries, both personal and business.

He also mentioned that both nations shared a passion for football, motor racing and horse racing.

Sheikh Mohammed's visit to the UK comes a month before Queen Elizabeth II is due to visit Abu Dhabi for the first time in 30 years.

Invited by Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, are expected to arrive in the capital on November 24.