Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Sunday in Al Ain, a former oasis on the Omani border, hours after a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait.

The trip, termed a "private visit" by Saudi official media, took place after Syrian militant groups seized control of Aleppo, the country's second biggest city, in a shock offensive.

The two royals "reviewed the latest regional and international developments, with a particular focus on the Middle East", the UAE's official WAM news agency said.

"They underscored the need for concerted efforts to maintain regional stability and prevent the region descending into new crises that could threaten its security."

According to Emirati media, it was Prince Mohammed's first time in the neighboring country and fellow oil power since a state visit in 2021.

Prince Mohammed, often known as "MBS", and Sheikh Mohamed, or "MBZ", also met in the eastern Saudi city of Dammam in May.

The UAE restored the diplomatic ties with Syria in 2018, while Saudi Arabia re-established ties with Damascus last year after inviting Assad to an Arab League meeting in Jeddah, ending Syria's regional isolation.

* This story was edited by Ahram Online.