Bush arrives in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: US President George W. Bush arrived in the UAE capital on Sunday for a two-day official visit as part of his broader 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.

US President George W. Bush is expected to reach out to Iranians across the Gulf during his visit, his spokeswoman said.

"He will again speak to the Iranians themselves and tell them that there is a better future for them, a better way to live than what their current government is providing for them," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters as Bush prepared to wrap up a visit to Bahrain late on Saturday.

In Abu Dhabi "[Bush] will remind the region about the United States' commitment to Gulf security, his belief that this can be solved diplomatically," Perino said.

Bush has given particular attention to Iran during his Middle East tour for peace, which began on Wednesday in Israel where he warned that Iran posed “a threat to world peace''.

In Kuwait on Saturday he called on Iran to stop supporting militants that attack coalition troops in Iraq.

Gulf allies have voiced concerns that a US attack on Iran could destabilise the region, and Washington has been careful in reassuring that it regards military action as a last resort.

Have your say
How has George W. Bush's visit to the UAE affected your life? Do you think his trip to the region will help bring peace to the Middle East?

I appreciate his trip here. About the stability of Gulf countries, it is not a person who could control or affect this, Bush could do something good in a way, but he is not God. The most important thing is that the Middle East should be more united and try its best to develop its economy, to attract many investments from all over the world. Dubai is a very good example.
Tammy
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:27

I firmly believe that it will certainly help out the peace process in the Middle East, for which I was a long time praying.
Rose
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:24

It affects me because we don't have work tomorrow and we have a lot of deadlines to submit on Tuesday. On the other hand, it is amazing that after so many years, US President Bush visited this region.
Charlie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:21

The only thing I expect is traffic disruption. They should rather send Kermit - whoever pulls his strings is far more talented.
John
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:20

I totally agree with the Gulf News letter to Mr. Bush. He has no idea what peace means. His government has promoted more wars and financed more corruption than we have ever seen in history. His foreign policy has created more misery in the world than any American can ever imagine. There are more important things to do than to attend the visit of the world's most evil ruler, so please, take home your work and let's not waste any more time.
Camilo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:07

Tomorrow President Bush will be in Dubai, and all roads will be closed. Good human beings can approach and be approached by others, they shake hands, hug and talk to each other. This has been the case with Mother Teresa, Ghandi, Al Gore, but also Madonna, Robbie Williams, as well as Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. Everyone wants to see them because they are good in what they do. Who wants to see President Bush? Who cares about him, we are just waiting for him to be replaced. Why close the roads and make our live difficult while he is here? I hope he enjoys his stay, I look forward to when he goes back, to Washington, and soon to Texas ...
Abuluc
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 17:05

I don't think President's Bush visit to the Middle Eaat would help to end the current crisis.
Zubair
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 13, 2008, 16:55