Oman Shuts Down All Borders For a Week

Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
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Oman Shuts Down All Borders For a Week

Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)

Oman will close its land, air and sea borders on Tuesday at 1 a.m. for one week, state television reported on Monday.

The decision follows measures imposed by various countries following the outbreak of a new strain of COVID-19, Oman TV said.

The Sultanate reported on Monday 264 New COVID-19 cases, raising the number of infections to 127, 931.

Meanwhile, death toll reached 119,745 after one patient passed away in the past 24 hours.

Also, Oman will receive its first batch of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on December 30, the Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases Control at the Ministry of Health announced on Monday.

This came in a statement ‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏published on Oman’s Ministry of Health official Twitter account for the efforts of countering COVID-19.

According to the official, the vaccine will be administered in two doses, with the second to be given 21 days after the first dose.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s security and stability on Tuesday, calling for respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while voicing deep concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.

In an address before the UN General Assembly during a session on the situation in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, urged the international community to intensify efforts to deliver urgent humanitarian aid, alleviate suffering, and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

“The Kingdom stresses the importance of empowering Afghan women and enhancing their rights to education, work and participation in public life,” Al-Wasil told the gathering, citing the outcomes of the recent “Conference on the Status of Women in Islam,” hosted in Jeddah.

He also highlighted the humanitarian support extended by Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s ongoing crises.

Al-Wasil warned against allowing Afghan territory to become a safe haven for terrorism or a hub for narcotics trafficking, which he said would pose a serious threat to regional and global security.

The Saudi envoy reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to supporting political, humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at achieving lasting stability in Afghanistan.