DOHA, QATAR (AP) – The leader of the United Arab Emirates made a surprise visit yesterday to Qatar as it is hosting the World Cup. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also serves as the ruler of Abu Dhabi, made the trip at the invitation of Qatar’s ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the state-run WAM news agency reported.
“The visit builds on the existing brotherly relations between the two nations and their people,” WAM said in its brief report.
The opening ceremony of the World Cup, which coincided with Qatar facing Ecuador in the tournament’s first match, was attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
Also on the dais with leaders was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Dubai’s ruler also attended along with his son, while Sheikh Mohammed did not attend. However, he called Sheikh Tamim and “congratulated” Qatar on hosting the World Cup.
