The Israeli media reported that the UAE passed a message to Israel that it is necessary to return the President of the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad, to the Arab arena so that he does not remain under the protection of Iran and Russia, after his recent visit to the UAE.
The official Israeli broadcaster, Kan, quoted well-informed officials as saying that the Emiratis said that relations with the Assad regime must be restored because the war in Syria is over, with estimates that this process will not happen immediately, but the goal is to build trust.
The Emiratis said - according to the report - that Israel should have an interest in this step, because anything that could reduce Iran's influence on the border is required.
The report indicated that the normalization of Arab countries with the Syrian regime was discussed in Sharm el-Sheikh between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, the latter highlighted a new aspect of the reason for inviting Assad to visit his country.
In conjunction with the commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, the Emirates News Agency said that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi received the head of the Syrian regime last Friday, and discussed with him "fraternal relations, cooperation and joint coordination."
She added that Mohammed bin Zayed 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 brotherly Syrian people towards stability and development."
Al-Assad had previously received in Damascus the UAE Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed, last November, and this was the first visit of a high-ranking Gulf official since several Gulf countries cut diplomatic relations with the Assad regime following the outbreak of the revolution.