Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has received the first ambassador from the United Arab Emirates to Damascus appointed after 13 years.

The United Arab Emirates announced deal worth of $50bn signed with Ankara as the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the Arab countries to boost economic ties.

Top Emirati official has stressed that his country does not support formation of a coalition against any country criticizing establishment of a NATO-like military alliance in the Middle East region.

UAE-operated tanker carrying 400,000 barrels of Yemeni crude oil has reportedly left Yemeni port in southern province of Shabwah amid continued efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to loot the natural resources in the war-torn Arab state.