Syria's president met Tuesday with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates during a rare visit to Damascus as the two countries strengthen their relations after years of tension.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit is the first since Syria's conflict began a decade ago and comes as some Arab countries are improving relations with Syria.

The UAE has been slowly mending ties with Damascus, as the tide of the war has turned in favour of President Bashar Assad.

Sheikh Abdullah was heading a large delegation, according to Syrian state TV.

The two sides discussed ways of developing cooperation as well as investment opportunities, according to Assad's office.

Syria has been expelled from the 22-member Arab League and boycotted by its neighbors since its civil war erupted in 2011.

However, improvement of relations between Syria and oil-rich Arab countries could be a major boost for post-war reconstruction.

Syria’s conflict that began in 2011 has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced half the country's population.

Large parts of the country are destroyed and reconstruction would cost tens of billions of dollars.

Report by AP