Oman Eases Some Business Restrictions, Seals off Tourist Areas

Tourists stand in front of the Royal Opera House in Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
Tourists stand in front of the Royal Opera House in Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
TT

Oman Eases Some Business Restrictions, Seals off Tourist Areas

Tourists stand in front of the Royal Opera House in Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
Tourists stand in front of the Royal Opera House in Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)

Oman will further ease its coronavirus containment measures on Wednesday, allowing several businesses and shops to reopen, but will close off some popular tourist areas from Saturday until July 3, the state news agency reported.

The Sultanate’s easing of measures will include various stores from clothing to furniture, the agency said in a tweet.

The easing of restrictions will not include facilities in the Al Wadi Al Kabir industrial area in Muscat governorate, an area where many low income migrant workers live which was sealed off in early May to combat the spread of the virus.

It will also not include shops in malls, or in Muttrah town, which has also previously been sealed off, the statement said.

The Sultanate will close off several popular leisure areas including Jabal Akhdar, Jabal Shams, Masirah and Dhofar governorate from June 13 until July 3 and ban any gatherings or tourist activities in those areas during that period.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire in Lebanon

 A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
TT

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire in Lebanon

 A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Wednesday the ceasefire in Lebanon, hailing the international efforts that helped achieve it.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry hoped the ceasefire would lead to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, and ensure the safe return of the displaced to their homes.

The Muslim World League (MWL) welcomed the ceasefire, commending all efforts that contributed to ending the conflict and expressed its hope for continued security and stability for Lebanon and its people under its national sovereignty.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stressed the need for all parties to commit to the ceasefire agreement through the full implementation of Resolution 1701.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha underscored his full support for Lebanon’s stability and the right of its state to exercise its sovereignty across all Lebanese territories.

He called for humanitarian aid to meet the needs of those affected and for reconstructing what was destroyed in the war.

Moreover, he hoped that the ceasefire in Lebanon would pave the way for an immediate halt to the Israeli assault on Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories.