Egypt, Oman Explore Boosting Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
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Egypt, Oman Explore Boosting Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry kicked off on Saturday a two-day visit to the Omani capital, Muscat, leading an Egyptian delegation to the 15th session of the Egyptian-Omani joint committee.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi received Shoukry at Muscat International Airport.

At his arrival, Shoukry inaugurated the Arab Specialized Eye, Nose, Throat and Dental Hospital, which is a joint Omani-Egyptian investment project.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sebaa bin Hamdan Al Saadi, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee for Celebrations, in the presence of a number of Omani and Egyptian officials.

Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Hafez, said Shoukry will sit down with a number of senior Omani officials to discuss the distinguished bilateral relations between their countries. Talks will also cover regional and international developments of interest.

On Saturday, Shoukry attended the opening of the third session of the Egyptian-Omani Joint Business Council at Al Bustan Palace. Present at the event were Albusaidi and Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef.

The Egyptian Minister commended the active role played by the council to promote joint investments and explore cooperation opportunities. He also hailed the regular convention of the council since its establishment in 2019.

Shoukry encouraged Omani investors and private business owners to make the best use of the mega economic and developmental projects under way in Egypt, which offer a wide variety of investment opportunities, especially in light of the country's successful economic reforms to ensure a business-friendly environment.



Palestinian Officials Say Israeli Settlers Torched Cars in Ramallah

Palestinians inspect their burnt vehicles at the site where Israeli settlers attacked in Al-Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah, 04 November 2024. (EPA)
Palestinians inspect their burnt vehicles at the site where Israeli settlers attacked in Al-Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah, 04 November 2024. (EPA)
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Palestinian Officials Say Israeli Settlers Torched Cars in Ramallah

Palestinians inspect their burnt vehicles at the site where Israeli settlers attacked in Al-Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah, 04 November 2024. (EPA)
Palestinians inspect their burnt vehicles at the site where Israeli settlers attacked in Al-Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah, 04 November 2024. (EPA)

Palestinian officials said Israeli settlers were behind an attack in which several cars were torched overnight just a few kilometers (miles) away from the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

No one was wounded in the attack overnight into Monday in Al-Bireh, a city adjacent to Ramallah, where the Western-backed Palestinian Authority is headquartered. An Associated Press reporter counted 18 burned-out cars.

Settler attacks on Palestinians and their property have surged since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack into Israel.

But attacks in and around Ramallah, home to senior Palestinian officials and international missions, are rare.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers population centers in the territory, condemned the attack. Israeli police, who handle law enforcement matters involving settlers in the West Bank, said they were investigating.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. The territory’s 3 million Palestinians live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy over less than half of the territory.

Over 500,000 Jewish settlers with Israeli citizenship live in scores of settlements across the West Bank, which most of the international community considers illegal.