Omani FM Warns Against Military Confrontation in Strait of Hormuz

Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi (File photo: Reuters)
Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi (File photo: Reuters)
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Omani FM Warns Against Military Confrontation in Strait of Hormuz

Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi (File photo: Reuters)
Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi (File photo: Reuters)

Oman works for easing of tension in the Arab Gulf region, however, a military confrontation in the region is not likely to happen now, announced Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi.

The Minister warned that a military confrontation is more likely to happen in the Strait of Hormuz than any other region in the Gulf, partially due to the increased number of military vessels.

In a dialogue session dedicated to addressing tension in the region on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference (MSC), Alawi said, “We keep contacts with the United States and Iran as part of our relations with the two countries. We feel that it is possible for the two to engage in dialogue. We work to ease tension in the region and we do not expect the occurrence of any military confrontation in the region at present.”

The Ministry’s official twitter account quoted Bin Alawi as saying: “Some have a right to feel anxious about the escalation of tension in the region,” adding that Iran is a “great country and a neighbour, and if we regulate our interests, that would give us a feeling of peace.”

Alawi pointed out that the massive presence of military vessels in the Strait might lead to the occurrence of any mistakes and increase tension. He called upon friends to consider the present risks to the security of navigation.

“There are a lot of military ships in the Hormuz (area) and our concern is there could be a mistake,” bin Alawi was quoted by Reuters.

The Strait of Hormuz is between Iran and Oman, with 33 km width at its narrowest point, and is the conduit for some 30 percent of all crude and other oil liquids traded by sea.

Friction between Iran and the West had led several nations to send task forces to guard shipping there, and Washington has blamed Tehran for attacks on international merchant vessels in or near the area, something Tehran denies.



Arab League to Convene Emergency Meeting to Address Israeli Threats Against Iraq

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
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Arab League to Convene Emergency Meeting to Address Israeli Threats Against Iraq

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)

The permanent delegates to the Arab League will convene an extraordinary session on Sunday, chaired by Yemen, in response to a request from Iraq.

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Hossam Zaki said on Saturday that the meeting will focus on a memo from the UN Security Council president, which contains the Israeli occupation's claims of increased attacks from Iraqi territory since September, SPA reported.

"The General Secretariat of the Arab League received Iraq's request to hold an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council.”

“The request was circulated among member states for consultation, and it was agreed to hold the meeting tomorrow at the General Secretariat," Zaki said, adding that several Arab countries have expressed support for Iraq's initiative.