Oman, Bahrain Forge Security, Economic Agreements

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Oman, Bahrain Forge Security, Economic Agreements

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at the Sakhir Air Base. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman signed a set of agreements that included cooperation in the field of security, maritime transport, ports and investment promotion.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq arrived in Bahrain on Monday, on a two-day official visit. He was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base.

The two leaders held talks on current developments and a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Monday’s meeting was attended by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and senior officials from both sides. Discussions focused on historical ties and regional and international developments.

The two sides reviewed “the well-established brotherly relations and ways to further develop horizons of cooperation and joint action,” according to agency. They also affirmed their keenness to “promote cooperation frameworks and bilateral coordination mechanisms in all areas that enhance the mutual interests of the two countries and serve the aspirations of their brotherly peoples.”

The Bahraini monarch praised “the comprehensive renaissance process, the developmental and civilizational achievements of the Sultanate of Oman, and its pioneering role in supporting joint Gulf and Arab action.”

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of agreements, including a cooperation agreement in the security field, which aims to raise the efficiency of the security services in the two countries.

The delegations also signed a cooperation agreement in the field of maritime transport and ports, and a cooperation agreement between the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies and Sultan Qaboos University on cooperation in the field of studies and research.

An agreement was also signed to establish a Bahraini-Omani Investment Holding Company.

The Omani Royal Court had stated that Sultan Haitham visit to Manama came “to consolidate the existing solid historical ties between Oman and Bahrain, and to affirm their keenness to strengthen relations and take them to broader horizons.”

Faisal bin Hareb Al Busaidi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to Bahrain, told the BNA that the visit “will constitute an important turning point in the nature of the brotherly relationship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.”

He noted that the meetings of the joint committee were held on a regular basis to frame the existing cooperation and expand cooperation opportunities.



Syrian Air Says It Is Resuming Its Direct Flights to UAE on Sunday

 Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
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Syrian Air Says It Is Resuming Its Direct Flights to UAE on Sunday

 Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)

Syria's flag carrier Syrian Air will resume direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates starting on Sunday, the airline said in a Facebook post.

All flights between Syria and the UAE had been suspended in January after opposition factions toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The announcement comes days after the UAE's civil aviation authority announced the resumption of air flights between the Gulf country and Syria. No UAE-based airlines have announced plans to fly to Syria so far.

The resumption of flights between the two countries followed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s first visit to the UAE as leader, where he met UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.