Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for Oman
Newsline: Oman becomes first Gulf state to reinstate ambassador in Syria
Oman has sent an ambassador to Syria, becoming the first Gulf Arab state to do so after they downgraded or shut missions in Damascus in 2012 over the government’s brutal response to protests at the start of what turned into a war. (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/5/oman-becomes-first-gulf-state-to-reinstate-ambassador-in-syria) Oman is one of the rare Arab countries that maintained diplomatic relations with the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad after the 2011 uprising, despite pressure from the United States and other Gulf allies. Syria’s foreign minister on Sunday accepted the credentials of Oman’s Ambassador Turki bin Mahmood al-Busaidy, appointed to the post by royal decree in March, state news agency ONA said.
Newsline: Oman’s top diplomat in Iran for talks amid mounting Gulf tensions
The foreign minister of Oman has arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials, in a visit that comes amid mounting tensions in the Gulf between the United States and Iran. Iran’s state television said on Saturday that Yusuf bin Alawi would meet his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and other officials to discuss the latest developments in the region. “The visit was conducted in the framework of bilateral relations and continuous consultations of the two countries with the aim of exchanging views on recent regional developments, bilateral relations … and international issues,” it added. (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/oman-top-diplomat-iran-talks-mounting-gulf-tensions-190727100852017.html) Friction has been rising since Washington unilaterally withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran. Oman maintains friendly ties with both the US and Iran and has previously been a go-between for the two countries, which severed diplomatic relations after the 1979 Iranian revolution. It was also the country where Iran and the US held secret talks that eventually led to the brokering and signing of the landmark nuclear deal four years ago.
Newsline: Oman to open embassy in West Bank
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry is welcoming Oman’s decision to open an embassy in the Palestinian territories, considering this a natural step following the sultanate’s approach and stances toward the Palestinian people, their issues, cause and rights. The Foreign Ministry said that opening an embassy would deepen, develop and promote bilateral relations between the two countries and would bolster joint coordination between the heads of the two countries about certain issues. The ministry also underlined that it would work to facilitate the actual implementation of this step to serve the interests of Palestinians and Omanis. In light of its growing relationship with Israel, Oman has recently sought to bring together both the Palestinian and Israeli positions to settle the Palestinian cause. (https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/oman-open-embassy-palestine-normalization-israel.html) The Omani Foreign Ministry decided to open a new diplomatic mission in the West Bank city of Ramallah in a step that complements the sultanate’s supportive stance of the Palestinian people.
Newsline: Oman to open embassy in Palestinian territories’ West Bank
Oman said on June 26 it was planning to open a new diplomatic mission in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and that a delegation from its foreign ministry would go to Ramallah for that purpose. The Gulf state made its announcement as Washington launched an economic plan it says will be a foundation for Israeli-Palestinian peace but which Palestinians and many other Arabs dismiss as pointless without a political solution. “In line with the Sultanate’s support for the brotherly Palestinian people, it has decided to open a new diplomatic mission for Palestine at the level of embassy,” the foreign ministry said in Twitter post. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-plan-oman/oman-to-open-embassy-in-palestinian-territories-west-bank-foreign-ministry-idUSKCN1TR0XE) “A delegation from the foreign ministry will be going to Ramallah to start procedures to open the embassy,” the tweet added.
Newsline: Oman to reopen embassy in Iraq
Oman says it will reopen its embassy in Iraq, decades after it closed its diplomatic post. Oman’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement on Twitter on May 12. The sultanate, on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, said it would “contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.” (https://www.foxnews.com/world/oman-says-it-will-reopen-its-embassy-in-iraq) Iraq’s Foreign Ministry earlier said it anticipated Oman would reopen its embassy. Oman had closed its embassy in Iraq after dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990. The warming ties to Iraq follow Saudi Arabia in April opening a new consulate in Baghdad, part of efforts by Sunni Arab-ruled states in the Gulf to counter Iran’s influence in Iraq.
Newsline: Embassy urges Omanis to wear masks in Bangkok
The Embassy of Oman in Thailand has asked its citizens travelling to the capital city Bangkok, to wear protective masks (https://menafn.com/1098100342/Embassy-urges-Omanis-to-wear-masks-in-Bangkok). In a tweet, the embassy stated that it is a precautionary measure to protect against air pollution and high particles of fine dust in Bangkok and its surroundings. The Omani embassy added that authorities in Thailand have though announced that the atmosphere has gradually improved in most areas, but it is advisable to take precautions for the elderly, children and patients with respiratory diseases. However, most people travelling from Oman are oblivious to the development and travel agents have not found any change in the booking pattern of tourists to Thailand.
Newsline: Austria to reopen embassy in Oman
Austria will reopen its embassy in Muscat early next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. In an online statement, the ministry said, “The Republic of Austria will reopen its embassy in Muscat early next year, 2019. This came during the reception of His Excellency Yusif bin Alawi, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs with Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Austria Karin Kneissl, who is currently visiting the Sultanate. This would enhance bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in various fields.”
https://timesofoman.com/article/589708/Oman/Government/Austria-to-reopen-embassy-in-Oman
Newsline: US embassy in Oman issues scam alert
The United States embassy in Muscat is warning people about a “potential scam” where emailers claim to represent the embassy. “WARNING — The U.S. Embassy has been made aware of a potential scam involving individuals purporting to represent the Embassy by soliciting purchase orders for solar generators,” the embassy reported in an online statement. “If your business receives a tender request from a ‘Michelle Collins, Embassy of the United States’ or from any of the following email addresses: usa@embassytenderdep.com or usa@embassytenders.com or info@embassytendersdep.com, please DO NOT ACT on this request and notify us immediately via email at: MuscatRSO@state.gov,” the embassy warned. “If you receive an email from any company or individual claiming to represent U.S. Embassy Muscat, be cautious. Particularly, if you receive an e-mail from a company or individual asking you to contact them and pay any money, be cautious. These messages are not from the Federal Government,” added the embassy. “Any official correspondence from the U.S. Embassy or an embassy official will be from a properly formatted U.S. Department of State email address ending in ‘@state.gov’ and will have a corresponding embassy telephone number with a local area code,” said the embassy online. “If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the embassy without a ‘state.gov’ email address and who asks for money, please contact MuscatRSO@state.gov immediately,” the embassy added.
http://timesofoman.com/article/117712/Oman/US-embassy-in-Oman-issues-scam-alert
Newsline: Oman Embassy Official Found Dead in Moscow Hotel
An official from the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman has been found dead in a Moscow hotel room, the Russian capital’s investigative committee said in a statement on Thursday. The man’s body was found in a hotel room in downtown Moscow late Wednesday and an investigation is underway, the statement said. The statement confirmed that the body found was that of “an employee of the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman,” adding there were no signs of violence. An unnamed source in the Russian capital’s police force told RIA Novosti that the body found was that of the First Secretary of the Embassy of Oman. His identity has not been officially confirmed. As of Thursday morning, the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman has not issued a formal statement regarding these reports, and was not immediately contactable by telephone.
Newsline: Western countries shut down embassies over ‘specific and significant’ al-Qaeda threats
The British, German, Dutch and French embassies in Yemen will be closed over ‘increased security concerns’, the European countries have announced. They blamed an ‘increased threat’ from al-Qaeda. France will close its embassy in Yemen for several days, while Germany and Britain will close theirs for two days on Sunday and Monday. Previously the French Foreign Ministry has said that the Embassy would only be shut on Sunday. Germany also warned its citizens from traveling to the country and that the situation there “is uncertain in the future”. The British embassy in Yemen will close temporarily after escalating violence and terrorist threats, the Foreign Office said Friday. While the Embassy will operate with an “essential staff,” all other British citizens were advised to leave Yemen. The British Foreign Office, which announced the Sana’a embassy would be closed from August 4 to 5, is in close contact with US officials. Meanwhile, US embassies will be closed in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Canada meanwhile has announced that its embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh would be closed on Sunday for the “safety and security of our personnel.” The Dutch embassy will also be closed on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera.
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