<b>Live updates: Follow the latest on </b><a href="https://are01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmena%2F2024%2F12%2F06%2Flive-syria-homs-city-rebels-advance-damascus%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPdeHahn%40thenationalnews.com%7Cd4f4846f2a0a4bc26deb08dd1604385d%7Ce52b6fadc5234ad692ce73ed77e9b253%7C0%7C0%7C638690929588310580%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FcVTskgULQvWJwF1GosAKTuwY5byF8Fixz0wLG1isbY%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><b>Syria</b></a> <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed/" target="_blank">President Sheikh Mohamed</a> on Monday met <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024/12/07/british-prime-minister-keir-starmer-to-visit-uae-as-part-of-first-official-gulf-visit/" target="_blank">Keir Starmer</a>, the UK Prime Minister, in <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi</a> during which the British leader spoke of efforts to bolster trade ties in the Gulf and welcomed the collapse of the "brutal" Assad regime in Syria. During the meeting at Al Shati Palace Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Starmer discussed areas of co-operation and the importance of historical ties. Mr Starmer congratulated Sheikh Mohamed after the UAE celebrated <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2024/12/02/president-sheikh-mohamed-leads-well-wishes-for-eid-al-etihad/" target="_blank">Eid Al Etihad</a>, its national day, last week. They also discussed their desire for peace in the Middle East. Also in attendance were <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/sheikh-abdullah-bin-zayed/" target="_blank">Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed</a>, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2024/09/27/deputy-ruler-of-abu-dhabi-meets-elon-musk-to-discuss-partnerships-in-ai/" target="_blank">Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed</a>, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser. Mr Starmer stressed the need to forge a path to progress in Syria, and emphasised the importance of maintaining the Lebanon ceasefire and bringing an end to violence in Gaza, in an interview with Sky News Arabia. <i>"</i>The people of Syria have lived under a brutal regime for far too long, so I welcome the fact that Assad is gone. I think the whole world welcomes that," he told the broadcaster. "What we now need is a political way forward, a rejection of violence, rejection of terrorism … and the protection of civilians and minorities. So it is a really important moment, a really significant moment." The UK Prime Minister told of his hopes that a peace deal could be brokered in Gaza to alleviate a worsening humanitarian crisis amid the continued war with Israel. "I think there is now the potential in Gaza for that ceasefire," Mr Starmer said. "We've long been calling for it, but there are intense discussions going on now which are intended to, and I hope will, lead to a much-needed ceasefire, which will allow the remaining hostages to be released, will allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to go into Gaza and open the door for the only solution in Gaza, which is a political solution." In a bid to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the UK will provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with training and kit. The package supports the initial training of hundreds of recruits and provides equipment through contractors to bolster the LAF’s ability to maintain security in southern Lebanon. The UK has also increased work to support the Palestinian Authority as part of the drive to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine question. Turning to his visit to the Emirates, Mr Starmer underlined the significance of the UAE-UK partnership and stated his commitment to furthering well-established ties. "UAE is a major and strategic and important partner to the UK," said Mr Starmer. "It is significant. This is my first Gulf state as Prime Minister that I've visited. "And my reason for being here is to try to create the opportunity to enhance that partnership, whether that's on trade and investment, whether it's on defence and security, energy, AI. "I think the potential is there, but this is a very important strategic partnership and I'm very pleased to be here." Mr Starmer's visited the landmark <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2024/07/29/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-attracts-43-million-visits-in-first-half-of-2024/" target="_blank">Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque</a> on Monday, where he was received by Yousef Al Obaidli, director general of the mosque, who showed him around the site. He arrived in the UAE on Sunday. He travelled to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/saudi-arabia" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia</a> late on Monday for discussions with <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/mohammed-bin-salman/" target="_blank">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>. He was greeted at King Khalid International Airport by the deputy governor of Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Crown Prince Mohammed later received Mr Starmer at Al Yamamah Palace in the Saudi capital, where an official reception was held in his honour before the two men held "extensive talks", SPA said. During the meeting the British leader discussed the shared challenges and opportunities between the two countries, including in defence and security, growth, and research and development Mr Starmer said Saudi Arabia is already playing a central role in supporting growth and job creation in the UK, especially through the green energy sector, and the leaders agreed that the relationship between the two countries is also central to regional stability. On Gaza, he pushed for more aid to reach the enclave and welcomed Prince Mohammed’s reflection on how the suffering on all sides could be ended. At the end of the meeting, Mr Starmer invited Prince Mohammed to visit the UK, adding he hoped the leaders would be able to watch a game of football in between meetings. No 10 hopes the visit will help consolidate partnerships focused on “driving high-quality growth”, with UAE investment in the UK valued at £23 billion ($28 million). British trade with Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is thought to be worth £17 billion. “Driving long-term growth at home requires us to strengthen partnerships abroad,” Mr Starmer said. He and Qatari Emir <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024/12/03/emir-qatar-state-visit-uk/" target="_blank">Sheikh Tamim</a> last week agreed on a long-term green energy partnership, pledged to deepen defence and security ties and discussed the importance of regional stability. The UK Prime Minister is also expected to travel to Cyprus, where he will meet President Nikos Christodoulides in the capital Nicosia on Tuesday, before meeting British troops on the Mediterranean island who are posted over Christmas.
