Sultan of Oman Becomes First Gulf Leader to Congratulate Assad on Reelection

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. (Reuters)
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. (Reuters)
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Sultan of Oman Becomes First Gulf Leader to Congratulate Assad on Reelection

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. (Reuters)
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. (Reuters)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said sent a cable of congratulations to Syria’s Bashar Assad to congratulate him on his reelection as president.

This marks the first message of congratulations by a Gulf leader to Assad since his reelection last week.

Oman’s state news agency reported that Sultan Haitham expressed his “sincerest congratulations to Assad, wishing him success in continuing to lead the brotherly Syrian people towards achieving their aspirations for stability, progress and prosperity.”

Oman had downgraded its diplomatic representation in Damascus after the eruption of the Syrian conflict in 2011. It did, however, restore full representation in 2020, by reinstating an ambassador to Damascus, becoming the first Arab and Gulf state to do so.



Saudi Arabia, Australia Discuss Efforts to Support Security in the Region, the World

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Australia Discuss Efforts to Support Security in the Region, the World

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has met with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles in Riyadh.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations in the defense sector, reviewed recent regional and global developments, and the efforts made to support security and stability.

They also discussed several issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides.