Abu Dhabi: US President George W. Bush arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday on a two-day official visit to the UAE as part of his tour of the Middle East.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai led a party of top senior officials to welcome the US President upon arrival at the airport.
General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, joined in receiving president Bush upon arrival.
Soon after arriving at the Mushref Palace, Bush, accompanied by Shaikh Khalifa, ascended the dais of honour where the national anthems of the UAE and United States were played while the artillery fired a 21-gun salute.
Bush then inspected a guard of honour and headed to the Palace's main reception lounge where he shook hands with a number of shaikhs, ministers and top UAE officials.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Stephen Hadley accompanied Bush.
Shaikh Khalifa conferred the Zayed Order on Bush as a gesture of honour and in recognition of the close UAE-US ties of cooperation and friendship.
Later, Shaikh Khalifa hosted a luncheon for Bush and his delegates. A number of shaikhs, ministers and high-ranking officials attended the banquet.
