Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
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Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said issued on Monday three royal decrees that restructures the Defense and National Security Councils.

The Sultan had recently introduced a number of amendments that included the creation of the position of crown prince.

The first decree stipulates that the Defense Council will be restructured under the chairmanship of The Sultan, the Supreme Commander, reported the Oman news agency (ONA).

The council will include the deputy prime minister for defense affairs, minister of the Royal Office, head of Office of the Supreme Commander, head of Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The decree stipulates that the Defense Council will specialize in reviewing all issues related to safeguarding and defending the Sultanate’s safety and will convene when it is deemed necessary to declare the State of Public Mobilization, reported ONA.

The second decree orders the restructuring of the National Security Council under the chairmanship of the Sultan, the Supreme Commander.

It will include the Minister of the Royal Office, head of the Office of the Supreme Commander, head of the Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The Council may call for the attendance of whomever it might consider appropriate other than its members.

The third decree covered military promotions and appointments, following up on last week’s royal orders.

Monday’s decree promoted Brigadier Nasser Saleh Saud al-Ma'awali to the rank of Major General and appointed him as Secretary General of the National Security Council in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Sulaiman Khalid Sulaiman al-Zakwani was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Secretary General of the Military Affairs in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Salim Ali Badr al-Hosni was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman.

Brigadier Mussalam Mohammed Taman Ja'abob was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Sultan's Special Force.

Major General Abdullah Ali Hamad al-Harthy was appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations.

Brigadier Khalifa Ali Nasser al-Siyabi was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Administrative and Financial Affairs.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.