The United Arab Emirates has invited Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, to the COP28 climate summit it is hosting at the end of the year, possibly placing him in the same venue as Western leaders who have opposed and sanctioned him for years, Syrian state news agency, SANA, reports.

Arab countries, including the UAE, have actively sought to re-establish ties with Damascus even though the United States is sceptical and has said that it does not see the merit in Assad's re-admission to the Arab League.Thousands of world leaders, diplomats and dignitaries are expected to attend the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December.