Al-Assad in a visit to Muscat: Region now more in need of Oman

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Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad made a visit on Monday to the Sultanate of Oman, where he was received at the Royal Private Airport by the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq.

Al-Assad and Bin Tariq held an official session of talks at Al-Baraka Palace in Muscat, in the presence of the two official delegations, where the latter renewed his condolences to President Al-Assad and the Syrian people for the victims of the devastating earthquake. The Sultan of Oman stressed his country's continued support for Syria to overcome the effects of the earthquake, the repercussions of the war, and the siege imposed on the Syrian people.

For his part, Al-Assad expressed his deep thanks to the Sultan, the government, and the brotherly Omani people, for their solidarity and standing with Syria and for sending relief aid, indicating that the greatest thanks are for Oman's standing by Damascus during the terrorist war against it.

The talks also tackled the bilateral relations between the two countries and the areas of joint cooperation, where the two sides agreed to strengthen and advance cooperation in all fields. Al-Assad indicated that Syria and Oman enjoy relations of mutual trust and an old and deep understanding.

Al-Assad noted that Oman has always maintained its balanced policies and its credibility.

The region now "needs the role of the Sultanate of Oman more than before in serving the interests of its people in order to strengthen relations between Arab countries on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in the affairs of other countries," Al-Assad said.

For his part, Bin Tariq said that Syria is a brotherly Arab country, "and we look forward that its relations with all Arab countries returning to their normal state."

The official talks session was followed by a closed session of talks, before Al-Assad and his accompanying delegation left the Sultanate of Oman.