Sultanate of Oman reopens its embassy in Damascus

DAMASCUS, Oct. 5 (YPA) – The Sultanate of Oman announced on Monday reopening of its embassy in Syria, which had been closed since the Gulf Arab countries cut their relations with Syria in 2012.

On Sunday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem received the credentials of Turki bin Mahmood al-Busaidy to assume his duties as ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Syria.

The move made Oman, as the first Gulf state to return its ambassador to Syria since the severing of their relations.

In 2012, Oman and other Gulf Arab countries withdrew their ambassadors in protest of the Syrian government’s violent suppression of a year-old uprising. Other Arab states shuttered their embassies but Oman, known for its neutrality and diplomacy between regional foes, kept its open throughout the years of conflict.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, upon assuming power in January, pledged to continue establishing friendly relations with all countries.

YPA