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 Foreign Minister, IOM Director General Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs has met with IOM's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs has met with IOM's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, IOM Director General Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs has met with IOM's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs has met with IOM's Director General in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope in Riyadh.

During their meeting on Sunday, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between both sides and addressed regional and global developments of mutual concern.