Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Camp David

CAMP DAVID, MARYLAND// Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, has been George Bush's guest at Camp David, in return for the hospitality the US president received in the UAE earlier this year. "You're looking good," Mr Bush told Sheikh Mohammed, after he arrived by helicopter. Both leaders were dressed casually and engaged in small talk before driving out of sight on a golf cart.

Sheikh Mohammed's overnight stay at the presidential compound follows a visit to Camp David in late June by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Invitations to Camp David are seen as an honour among world leaders and those extended to the two UAE leaders are seen as a sign of how important the United States considers the country. Gordon Johndroe, Mr Bush's national security spokesman, said: "The ruler of Dubai is an important figure in the emirates and an influential figure around the world."

Mr Bush visited the UAE in January, when he stayed in Abu Dhabi and visited Dubai. Among the topics expected to be discussed by Mr Bush and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid were economics, Iran and high oil prices. *AP