Turkish president pays condolences visit to Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Erdogan, on his arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, was received by Mohamed bin Zayed, the new Emirati president.

Erdogan conveyed his condolences to bin Zayed, for the demise of former President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan last week.

Turkiye's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, AK Party Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmus, intelligence service head Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, and Principal Consultant to President Sefer Turan also accompanied Erdogan.

President Erdogan and Turkish officials concluded their visit and left Abu Dhabi after extending their condolences.

Al Nahyan, who served as the UAE president since 2004, passed away on Friday at the age of 73.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara.