With the aim to lend support to war-struck Iraq, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, Abu Dhabi crown prince on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to Iraq.

Nuri al-Maliki, PM of Iraq, warmly welcomed the crown prince at Baghdad international airport and gladly informed that he is really thankful for the support extended by the United Arab Emirates, of which Abu Dhabi is the capital.

Maliki reported, "This visit is an important step in developing and enhancing relations with the brother state, the UAE, especially in political, economic and commercial fields."

Abdullah Ibrahim al-Shehhi on 4th September, presented his credentials as UAE envoy, which made him the first Arab ambassador to be stationed in Iraq in two years. He had been named in the month of July.

The crown prince informed, "Our visit is to confirm our total support for the national unity government and to develop political and economic relations." Back in July, a seven-billion-dollar aid package was announced by UAE fro Iraq.

After another diplomat was kidnapped by Islamist militants and held for two weeks, the UAE withdrew its most senior diplomat -- a charge d'affaires -- from Baghdad in May
2006.