Assad comes in from the cold: Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visited the UAE over the weekend, in his first visit to the Gulf country since the Syrian war began in 2011, WAM reported. The Syrian president met Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE. In an indication of the warming ties, bin Zayed told Assad that Syria is a “fundamental pillar of Arab security” and that Abu Dhabi is “keen to strengthen cooperation” with it, the Emirati state-owned news agency said. The United States was not pleased.

Also worth knowing this morning:

• Libya could be divided again, says the UN: UN undersecretary-general Rosemary DiCarlo has warned that Libya could see two rival administrations again, and called for elections as soon as possible, the Associated Press reported.
• Sudan has raised fuel prices by almost 24%, in the country’s second price hike this month, reaching SGP 672 (or USD 1.51) per liter, Reuters reported.