Abu Dhabi, UAE – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday on a two-day state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of UAE, led the welcoming party for His Majesty the Sultan at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed wished His Majesty and his accompanying delegating a pleasant stay in the UAE.

When the Royal aircraft entered the UAE airspace, it was joined by a fleet of UAE military aircrafts that escorted it in a gesture of warm welcome until it landed at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.

After a short stay at the airport, His Majesty the Sultan, accompanied by the UAE President, mounted a vehicle that took them to Qasr al Watan (Palace of the Nation) in Abu Dhabi where official and popular reception protocols were held.

As the motorcade of the two leaders entered the main gate of the palace, two sets of cavalrymen and cameleers lined the street and a flypast by ceremonial aircraft sketched the sultanate’s flag on the sky, while the artillery fired a 21-gun salute to His Majesty the Sultan.

Folklore troupes also joined the ceremony, chanting popular songs and poetic verses of welcome to His Majesty the Sultan, while groups of children waved flags reflecting the bonds of amity and fraternity.

Upon arrival of the motorcade at the main reception grounds in the palace, Sheikh Mohamed accompanied His Majesty the Sultan to the Dais of Honour, where the Omani Royal Anthem and the UAE National Anthem were played. Then, His Majesty the Sultan and Sheikh Mohamed inspected the Guard of Honour that gave the salute to His Majesty the Sultan.

After that, a commemorative photo was taken of His Majesty the Sultan and Sheikh Mohamed documenting the former’s historic visit.

Following the commemorative photo, His Majesty shook hands with members of the welcoming party. On his turn, Sheikh Mohamed shook hands with members of the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan, wishing them a pleasant stay.

His Majesty was also received by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Presidential Court (Head of the Mission of Honour), Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at Presidential Court, and Mohammed bin Nakhira al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Oman.

During the visit, His Majesty the Sultan is being accompanied by a high-ranking official delegation comprising Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of Diwan of Royal Court, Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Nuamani, Minister of Royal Office, Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Dr Hamad bin Said al Aufi, Head of Private Office, Abdussalam bin Mohammed al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority, Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and Dr Ahmed bin Hilal al Busaidi, Ambassador of Oman to the UAE.