Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
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Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said issued on Monday three royal decrees that restructures the Defense and National Security Councils.

The Sultan had recently introduced a number of amendments that included the creation of the position of crown prince.

The first decree stipulates that the Defense Council will be restructured under the chairmanship of The Sultan, the Supreme Commander, reported the Oman news agency (ONA).

The council will include the deputy prime minister for defense affairs, minister of the Royal Office, head of Office of the Supreme Commander, head of Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The decree stipulates that the Defense Council will specialize in reviewing all issues related to safeguarding and defending the Sultanate’s safety and will convene when it is deemed necessary to declare the State of Public Mobilization, reported ONA.

The second decree orders the restructuring of the National Security Council under the chairmanship of the Sultan, the Supreme Commander.

It will include the Minister of the Royal Office, head of the Office of the Supreme Commander, head of the Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The Council may call for the attendance of whomever it might consider appropriate other than its members.

The third decree covered military promotions and appointments, following up on last week’s royal orders.

Monday’s decree promoted Brigadier Nasser Saleh Saud al-Ma'awali to the rank of Major General and appointed him as Secretary General of the National Security Council in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Sulaiman Khalid Sulaiman al-Zakwani was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Secretary General of the Military Affairs in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Salim Ali Badr al-Hosni was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman.

Brigadier Mussalam Mohammed Taman Ja'abob was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Sultan's Special Force.

Major General Abdullah Ali Hamad al-Harthy was appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations.

Brigadier Khalifa Ali Nasser al-Siyabi was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Administrative and Financial Affairs.



Bahrain Says it Has Arrested 41 People Linked to IRGC

General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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Bahrain Says it Has Arrested 41 People Linked to IRGC

General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
General view of capital Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said on Saturday it had arrested 41 people it said were linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the state news agency reported.

The ⁠Ministry said security ⁠authorities uncovered a group linked to Iran's IRGC, adding that investigations ⁠by the public prosecutor had also involved cases related to sympathy with Iranian attacks.


Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Friday a phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the telephone conversation, they discussed regional developments, their security and economic implications, and joint efforts to preserve regional stability, SPA said.


Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.