Turkey's president visited the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to pay respects to the federation's late ruler and congratulate his successor, deepening a rapprochement between the countries after a bitter rivalry in the wake of the 2011 Arab uprisings.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Abu Dhabi's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his elevation to power after nearly a decade as de facto leader. From a gleaming reception hall at Abu Dhabi airport, he offered condolences on the death of the long-ailing late President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Turkish government said.
