Biden visits Grand Mosque iconic sites in Abu Dhabi

Date

3/7/2016 10:19:20 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Stepping on a higher milestone for stronger bilateral relations with the UAE US Vice-President Joe Biden has made his first official visit to the Capital on Monday as part of his Middle East tour.

The Vice-President visited some of Abu Dhabi's most iconic sites before meeting His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces to discuss critical topics including concerns on Syria.

Arriving just after midnight at Abu Dhabi's Presidential Airport Biden along with his wife Jill Biden was welcomed by Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi Minister of State for International Cooperation; Yousef Mani Al Otaiba UAE Ambassador to the United States; Barbara Leaf US Ambassador to the UAE; as well as members of the embassy and senior officials.

This is the second high-profile visit of a top US official to the UAE after the former US President George W. Bush's visit before his end of the term in office back in 2008.

US vice-president Joe Biden visits the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Photo: AP pic.twitter.com/GgXb80M0pz

- Khaleej Times (khaleejtimes) March 7 2016 Mutual visits by leaders of the UAE and US has seen a dynamic growth most recently in May 2015 Shaikh Mohammed met with US President Barack Obama in Washington.

Before the dinner meeting with the Crown Prince Biden visited Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Monday morning along with the Minister of State and greeted tourists outside. He also toured the government-backed clean energy campus Masdar City and New York University Abu Dhabi where he spoke to college students. He discussed with them the importance of educational opportunities.

In the meantime Biden's wife visited the General Women's Union Chaired by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak and discovered more about UAE's efforts to promote gender empowerment and the rise of women in leadership. Biden's wife later had a private meeting with Shaikha Fatima.

Later in the afternoon Biden and his wife visited the US and coalition forces in the UAE and right before the working dinner with the Crown Prince Biden participated in a cultural visit.

The Vice President will move to Dubai this morning where he will hold a meeting with His highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Jill Biden will be visiting the K-12 School of Research Science and deliver remarks to commemorate International Women's Day while the US Vice-President will talk at a young entrepreneurs event which will be held in Emirates Tower.

They will head to Tel Aviv from Dubai where talks will be held with Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden will then meet President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine in Ramallah.

On Thursday Biden will hold a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Husseiniya Palace before visiting a refugee camp.

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