Latest news with #HESayyidBadr
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Dialogue key to ending conflict: Sayyid Badr
Muscat – H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, called for urgent and sustained dialogue on Sunday to address the worsening situation in Palestine, warning against continued violence and the failure of the international community to act decisively. Speaking at the Tehran Dialogue Forum, H E Sayyid Badr reaffirmed Oman's strong ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressed gratitude to Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Abbas Araghchi for the invitation to participate. 'The Sultanate of Oman attaches great importance to its distinguished relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,' he said, acknowledging Araghchi's role in promoting regional and international dialogue with 'candour, precision and flexibility'. H E Sayyid Badr used the platform to focus on what he described as one of the region's most pressing challenges — the Palestinian issue. 'The violence and genocide that the Palestinian people continue to endure is a global tragedy – one that should never have been allowed to occur,' he said. 'It could have been prevented had the opportunities for dialogue been seized.' He said that since the assassination of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, the Palestinians had been left without a credible partner for dialogue, blaming successive Israeli governments for rejecting serious engagement. He also criticised the international community for failing to exert 'meaningful pressure' to initiate a genuine peace process, while pointing out the damaging role played by actors who imposed rigid preconditions for engagement. 'What has given me some hope and optimism in recent months,' H E Sayyid Badr noted, 'is the emergence of signs pointing towards a possible shift in approach from Washington.' Referring to recent developments, he said the United States may be exploring a 'more pragmatic and flexible stance' on potential dialogue partners, citing comments from a senior Hamas official who claimed there had been contact with Washington. 'This suggests that even at a time of horrific destruction, there is a renewed appetite for dialogue – one we all recognise as essential, even if Tel Aviv continues to try to avoid it by escalating militarily on multiple fronts,' he said. He expressed confidence that US President Donald Trump could help bring about peace. H E Sayyid Badr acknowledged the difficulties of diplomatic engagement but warned against the consequences of avoiding dialogue. 'Gaza stands as a terrible lesson in what happens when people lack the courage to speak to one another,' he said. He concluded by reaffirming Oman's commitment to diplomacy. 'We remain firmly committed to the difficult path of dialogue – including with those we may deeply disagree with,' he said, expressing hope that the Tehran forum would help strengthen international resolve for peaceful solutions.
Muscat Daily
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Omani mediation in US-Iran talks wins regional support
Muscat – Oman's facilitation of high-level talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme has received widespread praise from Gulf and Arab countries, reinforcing the sultanate's role as a trusted diplomatic intermediary in the region. At the meeting held in Muscat on Saturday, both sides agreed to hold another round of negotiations next week. The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation was headed by Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy. On Sunday, H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, held a phone conversation with Ayman Safadi, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, to discuss regional developments including the Muscat talks. Safadi conveyed Jordan's full support for Oman's mediation, describing its role as 'responsible' and praising the efforts to 'bring viewpoints closer and promote peaceful paths to resolve regional disputes'. Bahrain welcomed Oman's efforts, describing the facilitation as a 'constructive diplomatic initiative' that supports regional and international peace and security. In another call, H E Sayyid Badr and Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani reviewed the outcome of the meeting. The Qatari official praised Oman's 'positive and constructive' role in promoting dialogue and reaffirmed Doha's support for efforts aimed at regional stability. H E Sayyid Badr also spoke with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE, who valued Oman's constructive efforts aimed at fostering a climate conducive to understanding and building confidence in a way that enhances security and peace in the region. Kuwait also expressed support, stating that the Muscat meetings reflected a 'positive spirit' and an 'encouraging tone' from both Washington and Tehran. It commended Oman's continued efforts to promote calm and cooperation in the region. Saudi Arabia welcomed the sultanate's mediation, expressing hope that the talks would pave way for greater regional cooperation. Riyadh reiterated its support for 'efforts to promote security, stability and peace in the region and globally'. Egypt too commended Oman, citing its 'constructive, vital and ongoing role' in supporting peaceful political solutions amid the region's challenges. In a statement issued on Saturday, the White House appreciated Oman for hosting the first round of talks between the US and Iran, which mark the highest level of engagement between the two nations since 2018.
Muscat Daily
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Iran, US agree to resume negotiations next week
Muscat – Iran and the United States agreed to hold another round of negotiations next week on Tehran's nuclear programme following preliminary talks in Muscat on Saturday. Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi thanked the Iranian and US officials for engaging in a 'process of dialogue' aimed at concluding a 'fair agreement'. In a post on X, he said the exchanges took place in a 'friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability'. The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that the first round of talks in Muscat were held in 'a constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect'. The Iranian delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while US side was led by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's Middle East envoy. The Iranian ministry added that after over two-and-a-half hours of indirect talks, Araghchi and Witkoff 'spoke for several minutes in the presence' of H E Sayyid Badr 'while leaving the negotiations venue'. No overall agreement was expected immediately, as Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the current round of talks with the US in Oman wouldn't possibly take long. 'This is a start, therefore it is only natural that the sides exchange their fundamental principles [only] via the Omani intermediary at this stage. Thus, we don't expect this round to take long,' Baqaei stated. The talks, the first in years between the two countries, were held indirectly through Omani intermediaries. Baqaei said in a post on X that the Iranian and US negotiators had been stationed in separate rooms and were exchanging messages via H E Sayyid Badr. Iran said it was giving diplomacy a 'genuine chance' if the US demonstrates resolve and goodwill. The negotiations, which Tehran insists will remain indirect, are aimed at reaching a new agreement to replace the one the US abandoned during Trump's first term in office. Tehran rejected Trump's proposal for direct negotiations because of his so-called 'maximum pressure' campaign and threats of military action against Iran.
Muscat Daily
16-02-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman, India launch book on shared history
Muscat – Oman and India further strengthened their historical and cultural ties with the launch of a book – titled Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman – on Sunday. The book was jointly released by H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, and his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Muscat. The book explores the deep-rooted connections between the two nations, tracing centuries of trade, migration and cultural exchange. It highlights the role of the Indian community in Oman and the enduring relation between the two countries, which has evolved from historic maritime links to a modern strategic partnership. The book launch coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and India, which was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative logo. The initiative reflects both nations' commitment to honouring their shared past while fostering future cooperation in trade, investment and energy security. Following the launch, H E Sayyid Badr posted on X, 'A pleasure to welcome dear friend Dr S Jaishankar for the 8th Indian Ocean Conference. We also celebrated 70 years of Oman-India diplomatic relations, a testament to the enduring partnership between our two countries, and launched a commemorative book that chronicles our shared history and the deep bonds that continue to flourish.' On his part, Jaishankar said that he was delighted to meet H E Sayyid Badr. 'So glad we could jointly release the logo celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Also, jointly released a book – Mandvi to Muscat .' The release of Mandvi to Muscat underscores the significance of people-to-people ties in shaping Oman-India relations and serves as a testament to the longstanding bilateral friendship.
Muscat Daily
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Let's not forget many thousands still lying beneath rubble in Gaza: H E Sayyid Badr
Muscat – Oman's Foreign Minister, H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, has called on the international community to acknowledge the plight of thousands of victims still buried under rubble in Gaza, urging the world to honour their memory. In a statement on social media platform X, H E Sayyid Badr said, 'Amid the talk of the future of Gaza, let us not forget the many thousands of innocents still lying beneath the rubble. We must honour them, including every woman and child that has lost their lives in vain at the hands of the brutal Israeli forces.' Salama Maarouf, head of Gaza's Government Media Office, estimated that over 12,000 bodies remain trapped under debris, citing a severe lack of equipment to retrieve them due to Israeli restrictions on the entry of heavy machinery into the besieged enclave. 'Israeli authorities have not allowed the entry of heavy machinery into the Gaza Strip,' Maarouf said at a press conference at Gaza City's Baptist Hospital on Friday. Hamas has acknowledged that it cannot fulfil its earlier promise to return the bodies of Israeli captives killed during bombardments, he added. H E Sayyid Badr discussed the ongoing crisis with Badr Abdel Aati, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, on Friday.
