Latest news with #SayyidBadrbinHamadalBusaidy
Observer
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman calls for end to Israeli genocide
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, on Wednesday received a phone call from Hussein al Sheikh, Vice-President of the State of Palestine and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). During the call, they discussed the tragic developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly the ongoing Israeli genocide against civilians in the Gaza Strip, as well as the policies of starvation and siege imposed on the Strip. The two sides emphasised the importance of combined regional and international efforts to halt this brutal aggression, lift the blockade and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. They also stressed the need to continue supporting diplomatic, political and legal efforts aimed at resuming serious negotiations leading to a just and comprehensive peace, in accordance with international references and the two-state solution. On his turn, Sayyid Badr called for a stronger global appeal to uphold humanity and end the atrocities and famine in Gaza. He reaffirmed Oman's steadfast approach, based on dialogue, justice, respect for international law and support for the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Meanwhile, at least 20 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday while trying to get food, while others were asked to evacuate as the Israeli Security Cabinet is reportedly set to meet on Thursday to discuss taking over the enclave. The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing medical sources, reported that dozens of people were also injured after a lorry loaded with humanitarian aid overturned into a crowd in the central part of Gaza as numerous starving civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid. The truck was allegedly forced onto an unsafe route by the Israeli army, overturned and fell into the crowd. These claims could not be independently verified. Palestinian eyewitnesses said looters had attempted to seize control of the truck. During the chaos, shots were fired, and the driver was fatally hit, causing the vehicle to overturn. According to the United Nations, most trucks entering Gaza are looted before reaching their intended destinations, often by starving frequently leads to chaotic and dangerous scenes. The UN has warned that the conflict-ridden area, home to 2 million people, is on the brink of famine, despite Israel allowing more aid deliveries for over a week. Deadly incidents also continue to occur near aid distribution centres. WAFA reported that the death toll from aid-related incidents reached 87 within the last 24 hours, in addition to 570 injuries, bringing the total number of such fatalities to 1,655, with 11,800 injuries recorded in hospitals.
Observer
15-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman, Philippines sign visa waiver pact for diplomatic passports
MANILA: Oman and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a mutual visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. The agreement was signed during a meeting between Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, and Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, in Manila. Both sides agreed to pursue efforts to sign several memoranda of understanding and agreements that would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two ministers also agreed to hold the second Oman-Philippines Investment Forum in Muscat next year to foster sustainable economic ties. On the political front, the two sides exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest, including consultations on knowledge exchange, skills development, and strengthening partnerships between Asean and the GCC. Lazaro expressed profound gratitude for Oman's humanitarian efforts, which recently led to the release of several sailors from the MV Galaxy Leaders in Yemen. She also commended the wise and balanced foreign policy of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the fair treatment of Filipino workers in Oman. She welcomed the outcomes of the successful Oman-Cebu Investment Forum and expressed interest in supporting further private-sector initiatives to leverage available investment opportunities. Sayyid Badr appreciated the remarks of the secretary, emphasising the shared values and friendship that continue to grow in service of mutual interests and common prosperity. The meeting was attended by Nasser bin Said al Manouri, Oman's Ambassador to the Philippines; Raul Hernandez, the Philippine Ambassador to Oman, and some officials. — ONA
Observer
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
France and Oman: Common vision and shared ambition
On the occasion of the French National Day, I would like to express my gratitude to the Omani authorities and the Omani people for their warm welcome, as well as to the French community and to all the friends of France in Oman. I took up my duties in this friendly country one year ago, and since then I have experienced every single day the friendship between France and the Oman, between the people of France and the people of Oman. After arriving in Oman in August 2024, I have quickly been given the honour to present my credentials to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to whom I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his warm welcome and his guidance on deepening the historic and fraternal bilateral relationship between our two countries. I would also like to extend my most sincere thanks to Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, for his constant support and friendship, as well as to all the representatives of the government in Oman, who spare no effort to further enhance the excellent relationship between France and Oman. Same as Oman, France remains committed to the resolution of conflicts through negotiation, a position that has been reiterated by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, with regard to Ukraine, Iran and Gaza. That is why in the recent period, the French President has called twice by telephone His Majesty the Sultan, in particular to thank him for the role played by the country in the release of a French national detained in Iran. Indeed, international law remains our compass, thus I expressed France's full support for the negotiation processes that were conducted by the Omani authorities under the aegis of Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, between Iran and the US. I also reiterate France's call for an end to the tragedy of the Palestinian population in Gaza, for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid distribution and for the release of all hostages. We must give both Israelis and Palestinians a political perspective that will allow peaceful coexistence and security for all. It is in this spirit that a conference will be held in New York on the two-state solution, following a French initiative supported by its Arab and international partners. These French positions were also expressed by a high-profile parliamentary delegation from the France-Gulf Friendship Group, which met, in Muscat, with the highest figures in the Omani legislative sphere last April. The past year has also been very fruitful and active in terms of developing economic relations, strategic cooperation, and scientific and cultural cooperation between France and Oman. Recently, French companies such as TotalEnergies and EDF Power Solutions have invested 2 billion euros in Oman in key energy sectors in support of the Oman Vision 2040. In May 2025, the MARSA LNG project in Suhar was inaugurated, representing the largest foreign investment of the year in Oman. More than forty French companies in all major sectors are present in Oman, investing and contributing to the development of the Oman's economy and the creation of jobs for Omanis. These elements gave us the opportunity to host in October 2024 an important mission of MEDEF International, France's largest business association. The mission was composed of numerous French companies interested in the opportunities offered by the Omani economy, which is resolutely committed to an unprecedented diversification. It is also in support of a closer economic cooperation that we had the honour, in early 2025, of welcoming in Oman a delegation from the Normandy Region, led by the President of this region and including many business representatives, who forged promising links with public and private companies of Oman and strengthened equestrian cooperation between France and Oman, both of which excel in this field. Our strategic and defence cooperation is also very intense: the visit of the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, who met his Omani counterpart in early 2025, was an opportunity to reinforce the excellence of our relationship of trust and to renew France's commitment both in terms of reciprocal training and operational cooperation. Our cooperation is also being strengthened year by year in many other fields like education with the establishment of higher education scholarships in France, co-financed by both countries; medicine with Omani doctors being sent to France to specialise; justice with a significant increase in cooperation between magistrates, particularly in training and exchange of expertise; health with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between French and Omani institutions in cancer treatment; and space with the positioning of very high-level French offers in the satellite sector, a particularly promising field in Oman. France in Oman relies mainly on its diplomatic team, as well as on the French-Omani Centre, the French International School in Muscat, the French-Omani Friendship Association, the French Foreign Trade Committee and the French-Omani joint business council for raising high our common ambitions and shared values. I would like to express my gratitude to all of them for their commitment to fostering excellent relations between our two countries. It is therefore with pleasure and pride that I extend my sincerest wishes for success and prosperity to all our Omani friends and our fellow citizens residing in Oman.
Observer
05-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
His Majesty's greetings conveyed to Bulgarian President
SOFIA: President Rumen Radev of the Republic of Bulgaria received Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Sofia as part of his official visit to Bulgaria. Sayyid Badr conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik — may God protect and preserve him — along with His Majesty's best wishes for continued progress and prosperity to the Bulgarian President and people. For his part, President Radev expressed his sincere greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people for further development and prosperity. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the friendly and cooperative relations between their countries, affirming their shared desire to strengthen economic and scientific ties, deepen cultural exchanges and promote mutual investments to serve common interests. They also discussed regional and international developments and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. — ONA
Observer
03-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman, Bulgaria discuss ways to enhance ties
SOFIA: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Bulgaria on Thursday held a round of official talks in the city of Sofia, with the aim of enhancing bilateral relations. The Omani side was headed by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, while the Bulgarian side was led by Rosen Dimitrov Zhelyazkov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria. The session dealt with various aspects of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and explored new vistas for developing partnerships in economic, cultural and scientific fields, with the prime objective of exchanging joint benefits and realising common interests. During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views about regional and international issues of common concern. They expressed their keenness to foster diplomatic coordination, hold regular consultations and exchange visits to meet their shared goals and values that call for consolidating pillars of peace and security and achieving international justice, peaceful coexistence and prosperity among nations. The session was attended by Yousef bin Ahmed al Jabri, the Sultanate of Oman's Non-resident Ambassador to Bulgaria, Munthir bin Mahfoudh al Mandheri, Head of the Europe Department at the Foreign Ministry, and other officials from the two countries. - ONA
