The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, embraced the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, to open a warm two-hour stay at Shannon airport last night.
"It's good to see you and that you are in good order," Mr Ahern said, referring to the 70-year-old Palestinian leader's recent illness.
Mr Arafat replied: "It's very good to see you again, Taoiseach."
President Arafat arrived at about 5 p.m. on his way to New York to attend the UN General Assembly and to meet President Clinton in Washington on Thursday.
He was travelling from Cairo on a Gulf Stream 4 executive jet borrowed for the occasion from the Saudi Arabian government.
While waiting for Mr Ahern, the President ate in the airport VIP room, selecting supreme chicken stuffed with potato and apple with lemon and thyme sauce, followed by an autumn pudding.
The Taoiseach arrived half-an-hour later by helicopter, having attended the Listowel races.
"I had only time to back one winner," he joked.
After a photocall, the two leaders went into conference for 55 minutes, before giving a joint press briefing.
The Taoiseach said he had pledged the interest of the Irish in the Palestinian people and the peace process.
"The President is faced with a very difficult and hard year's work ahead, as he is very conscious of the settlement issues and, in particular, that of Jerusalem," said Mr Ahern.
President Arafat said despite the difficulties his people were committed to the peace process.
He was, he said, happy to continue the relationship between Ireland and Palestine.
He thanked the Taoiseach, the Government and the people for supporting Palestine "all along our history".
He referred particularly to the educational aid given to the Palestinians by Ireland.
On the struggle for peace in his region, he said there had been three years "of total stalemate" during the previous Israeli leadership. But he looked forward to the growth of good relations between Palestine and Israel.
Palestine's Minister for Planning, Dr Nabil Shaath, acted as interpreter, accompanied by Dr Jousef Allan, delegate-general for Palestine in London.