Muscat, Oct 24 (ONA) --- Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos

Bin Said, Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh al-Manthri, Chairman of the State

Council left here today heading to the Republic of Azerbaijan to lead

the Sultanate's delegation in the 18th Summit of Heads of State or

Government of the Non-Aligned Movement, scheduled to be held in the

Azerbaijani Capital, Baku on October 25th and 26th.

         Dr. al- Manthri is accompanied by Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali al-Harthi,

Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs, Dr. Qasim

bin Mohammed al-Salhi, ambassador of the Sultanate to Turkey and

non-resident ambassador to Azerbaijan and a number of officials.

              Dr. al-Manthri and his accompanying delegation were seen off

by Dr. Khalid bin Salim al-Saidi, Secretary General of the State Council

and Sheikh Dr. Al Khatab bin Ghalib al-Hainai, Deputy Chairman of the

State Council.

---Ends/HG/AH