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Oman's Shura Council Refers Proposal to Tighten Israel’s Boycott to Legislative and Legal Committee

A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
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Oman's Shura Council Refers Proposal to Tighten Israel’s Boycott to Legislative and Legal Committee

A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)

Oman’s Shura Council agreed on Monday to refer a proposal to broaden the scope of the boycott of Israel to the Legislative and Legal Committee to express an opinion before discussing the proposal and approving or rejecting it.

Article 1 of the Israel Provincial Law issued by Royal Decree No. 72/9 bans any direct or by proxy agreement with authorities or individuals residing in Israel or holding Israeli nationality or working for its interest wherever they reside.

The proposal rules that the first clause of the law would be amended in a way that broadens the scope of the boycott.

The seven MPs who submitted the proposal demanded additional amendments that include severing any economic, sports, or cultural contact and banning any virtual or real meeting with Israel.

Ties between Israel and Oman were formed in 1992 following the 1991 Madrid Conference. Both countries further inaugurated offices following the Oslo Accords.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin visited Muscat in 1994 followed by former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres in 1995.

The Omani foreign minister visited Israel during the same year.

However, diplomatic ties were severed after the second intifada. Then on October 26, 2018, the PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman at the invitation of late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. This was the first official meeting on this level since 1996.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed last year that Oman will not normalize ties with Israel before the two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is implemented.

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Bukhari: Saudi Arabia Will Stand by Lebanon, Its People and President

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Al-Bukhari meets with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Derian in Beirut on Friday. (NNA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Al-Bukhari meets with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Derian in Beirut on Friday. (NNA)
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Bukhari: Saudi Arabia Will Stand by Lebanon, Its People and President

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Al-Bukhari meets with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Derian in Beirut on Friday. (NNA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Al-Bukhari meets with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Derian in Beirut on Friday. (NNA)

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Al-Bukhari stressed on Friday that the election of a president is an important step in Lebanon’s revival and reconstruction.

He also praised President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech after he was sworn in on Thursday, saying it reflected his sense of national responsibility.

“Saudi Arabia will stand by Lebanon, its people and president,” declared the ambassador after holding a series of separate meetings with senior religious figures, including Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Derian, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai and Sheikh Akl of the Druze community Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna.

A statement from Derian’s office said Bukhari expressed the Kingdom’s “relief at holding the election, which was achieved through the unity of the Lebanese people and that revives their hopes.”

The election was “an important step towards Lebanon’s revival and reconstruction, and consolidation of security and stability, and will pave the way for reforms so that it can regain the trust of the Arab and international community,” he added.

For his part, Derian expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia, Arab and friendly countries, parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and all MPs and Lebanese leaderships for their efforts to ensure that the election was held.

He praised them for adhering to the constitution and Taif Accord and Arab principles related to Lebanon’s identity.

“The election of a president puts Lebanon on the path of political breakthroughs that will be followed up with the formation of a new government, revival of state institutions and return of stability,” he remarked.

After meeting al-Rahi, Bukhari said he hoped Aoun’s term will be that of “national consensus and unity, prosperity, development and stability.”

“Saudi Arabia will stand by Lebanon, its people and president,” he stressed.

Al-Rahi expressed his gratitude to the Saudi Ambassador and the quintet for their efforts to ensure that the election is held, wishing Aoun success in his national missions to revive Lebanon and resolve its crises.