News

Children Starving to Death in Northern Gaza: WHO Gaza, 5 Mar (ONA) --- Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency's visits over the weekend to the Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals were the first since early October. In a post on social media, he spoke of "grim findings". A lack of food resulted in the deaths of 10 children and "severe levels of malnutrition", while hospital buildings have been destroyed, he wrote. The health ministry in Gaza ...

Russia, China Should Work to Provide for Further Bilateral Cooperation: Envoy Beijing, 3 Mar (ONA) --- Beijing and Moscow should continue working for the further development of bilateral relations between China and Russia, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Sunday. "Both sides must be guided by the fundamental consensus reached by the presidents of the two countries and promote the further development of bilateral relations," Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui said during his meeting in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister ...

Shehbaz Sharif Elected as New Prime Minister of Pakistan Islamabad, 3 Mar (ONA) --- Shehbaz Sharif, the chairman of the PML-N party (Pakistan Muslim League - N) has been elected as the new prime minister of Pakistan, the PTV News channel reported today. According to PTV News report, Sharif "secured two hundred and one votes" while Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate Omar Ayub Khan bagged ninety-two votes." --- Ends/Khalid ...

UNSC Approves Statement on Israeli Strike on Civilians in Gaza Strip New York, 3 Mar (ONA) --- The UN Security Council (UNSC) has approved a statement prepared by Algeria on Israel’s attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the northern Gaza Strip. The document expresses "deep concern regarding reports stating that over 100 individuals lost their lives with several hundred others sustaining injuries, including people with gunshot wounds as observed by UN-OCHA, in an incident involving Israeli forces at a large gathering surrounding a humanitarian assistance ...

BRICS Member States to Consider Creating Common Digital Payment Platform Moscow, 28 Feb (ONA) --- The Russian Finance Ministry together with the Bank of Russia and BRICS partners will prepare a number of initiatives to improve the international monetary and financial system, which will focus in particular on the issue of creating the BRICS Bridge multisided payment platform, according to files published following the first meeting of BRICS finance ministers and central banks governors in Sao Paulo, Brazil. "By the end of the year, the Russian Finance Ministry and the ...

Russian Foreign Minister to Visit Türkiye, Attend Diplomacy Forum Moscow, 28 Feb (ONA) --- The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry today said that the country's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, will be in Türkiye on an official visit. Lavrov will visit on Friday and Saturday, Maria Zakharova said. He is scheduled to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will be held in the eponymous southern Turkish province, a popular destination among Russian tourists and expats. He will also hold bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan ...

Foreign Minister Receives Swiss Envoy to Middle East and North Africa Muscat, 26 Feb (ONA) ---- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received in his office here today Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart, Swiss Envoy to the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of promoting them, as well as ways to diversify cooperation in the economic, trade and cultural fields. The meeting underscores the importance of following up the agreements and MoUs signed between the two countries during the visit of President Dr. Alain Berset ...

Oman Delivers Oral Statement Before ICJ on Israeli PracticesThe Hague, 23 Feb (ONA) —- The Sultanate of Oman delivered its oral statement before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague today on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem.The Sultanate of Oman reaffirmed during the oral proceedings delivered on behalf of the government of the Sultanate of Oman by Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Salim Al Harthy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, that for more than (75) years, the Palestinians ...

Oman Regrets Security Council’s Failure to Issue Gaza Ceasefire ResolutionMuscat, 21 Feb (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman expressed its regret over the UN Security Council’s failure to issue a resolution for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as a result of the repeated use of veto that hampered the resolution.In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, Oman reiterated its plea for the international community and the Security Council to facilitate all initiatives to implement an immediate ceasefire in the region. It urged the Security Council not to stand in the way of ...

Palestine Accuses Israel of Apartheid at ICJ, Calls to End Occupation The Hague, 19 Feb (ONA) --- Palestine has accused Israel of apartheid and demanded an end to its occupation of Palestinian territories in a hearing at the World Court today. Foreign Minister Riyad Al Malki told the UN's top court that his people were suffering "colonialism and apartheid" under the Israeli occupation, as judges weighed on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation. "The Palestinians have endured colonialism and apartheid ... There are those who are enraged by these words. ...

Israeli Atrocities in Gaza Continue as Death Toll Crosses 29,000 Gaza, 19 Feb (ONA) --- Israeli atrocities in Gaza continue as death toll crosses 29,000. The Gazan Health Ministry said 107 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours. That brings the total number of fatalities to 29,092 since the start of the war. "The Israeli occupation committed 13 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 127 martyrs and 205 injured during the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement. "Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads ...

Foreign Minister, Palestinian Official Stress Importance of Ceasefire in GazaMuscat, 18 Feb (ONA) —— Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister and Hussein Al Sheikh, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization discussed during a phone call the developments in Palestine and the repercussions of the Israeli heinous war on the Gaza Strip.The two sides stressed the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire, the release of all prisoners and detainees, the entry of necessary humanitarian and relief needs into Gaza and ending to the siege on it, ...

Oman, EU Stress Importance of Baking Efforts to Reach Ceasefire in GazaBrussels, 15 Feb (ONA) —— The 4th round of the political consultations session between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union (EU) was held in Brussels today.The Omani side was chaired by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, whilst the EU side was chaired by Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs.During the session, the two sides discussed relations and affirmed to continue promoting joint cooperation in various areas.They also touched ...

Oman Rejects Israeli Occupation Forces’ Move to Storm Palestinian City of Rafah Muscat, 11 Feb (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman voiced its categorical rejection of the Israeli occupation forces’ move to storm the Palestinian City of Rafah, which is now sheltering hundreds of thousands of unarmed civilians displaced from the northern section of the Gaza Strip. Oman noted that this chaotic situation was a direct outcome of Israel’s brutal aggression that left about 30,000 dead and tens of thousands wounded or missing. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, Oman ...

Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives Credentials’ Copies of Brazilian, Uzbek and Iranian Ambassadors Muscat, 7 Feb (ONA) —— Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received today copies of credentials of some appointed ambassadors to the Sultanate of Oman. Sheikh Al Harthy received the following at the general diwan of the Foreign Ministry: Alfredo Cesar Martinez, designate-ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Sultanate of Oman, Abdusalam Khatamov, designate-ambassador of the Republic of ...

Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives Copy of Credentials of Myanmar AmbassadorMuscat, 2 Feb (ONA) --- Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today a copy of credentials of Tin Yu, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Sultanate of Oman.The Political Affairs Undersecretary welcomed the ambassador, wishing him success in carrying out his duties. He also wished the relations between the two countries further development and growth. The meeting was attended by Najeeb Yahya Al Balushi, ...

Foreign Minister: Oman Considers US Retaliatory Attacks on Sites in Iraq, Syria PointlessMuscat, 4 Feb (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister asserted that the Sultanate of Oman is following with a great concern the continuing escalation in the region without any solution due to the ongoing brutal Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the death and injury of tens of thousands of innocent civilians including children and women.He said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the vision of the Sultanate of Oman is that the only solution to the conflict lies in ...

Foreign Minister Phones Deputy Prime Minister of JordanMuscat, 4 Feb (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today made a phone call to Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister,Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.During the telephonic conversation, the two ministers held consultations and exchange points of view onthe course of efforts made to confront the dangerous escalation resulting from the continued brutal Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, stop this war, and launch a new horizon that leads to achieving a permanent ...

Foreign Minister Phones Syrian Foreign MinisterMuscat, 3 Feb (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today made a phone call toDr.Faisal Mekdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic.During the telephonic conversation, Sayyid Badr expressed the Sultanate of Oman’s solidarity with Syria, its security, sovereignty and and territorial integrity, following the American attacks on sites in Syria.The two ministers underscored the importance of resorting to serious dialogue involving all parties, containing escalation and conflicts and the ...

Foreign Minister Phones Deputy Prime Minister of IraqMuscat, 3 Feb (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today made a phone call to Dr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq.During the telephonic conversation, Sayyid Badr expressed the Sultanate of Oman’s solidarity with Iraq, its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, with reference to the American attacks on sites in Iraq.The two ministers underscored the importance of preventing the expansion of the circle of conflict in the region. They also underlined ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Netherlands Minister of Foreign AffairsMuscat, 1 Feb (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, today received a phone call from Hanke Bruins Slot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.The conversation focused on developments taking place in the region, efforts for de-escalation to prevent the expansion of regional and international conflicts, and steps to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and tackle the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Strip.The two sides also stressed the importance of ...

President of Montenegro Receives Ambassador of Oman Podgorica, 1 Feb (ONA) --- President Jakov Milatovic of Montenegro today received Badr Mohammed Al Mantheri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who presented his credentials as Oman’s Non-resident Ambassador to Montenegro. Al Mantheri conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to President Jakov Milatović, along with His Majesty the Sultan’s wishes of good health and happiness to the President. He also conveyed His Majesty the Sultan’s ...

Foreign Minister Receives British Foreign SecretaryMuscat, 31 Jan (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, today received Lord David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK).The two ministers exchanged views on regional developments, most notably the Palestinian issue, and efforts to support the establishment of a ceasefire and achieve a permanent humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip to deal with the catastrophic humanitarian situation there. They noted that ceasefire is highly needed to allow the entry ...

Foreign Minister, Syrian Counterpart Affirm Keenness to Boost Bilateral Cooperation Muscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister and Faisal Al Miqdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic expressed their keenness to enhancing cooperation and the continuation of talks pertaining to regional and international issues and developments, as well as according priority to efforts aimed at easing tension and containing escalation. This was stated in a telephonic call between the two ministers. The two ministers also ...

UN Rapporteur: Famine in Gaza Inevitable after Decision to Stop UNRWA Funding Geneva, 30 Jan (ONA) --- Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food said that famine has become 'inevitable' in the Gaza Strip, after the decision of some countries to stop funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Fakhri explained that stopping support for UNRWA means leaving 2.2 million people under the weight of hunger. Several countries suspended their funding to UNRWA after allegations, which are ...

Israeli Special Force Assassinates 3 Palestinians inside Hospital in Jenin Occupied Jerusalem, 30 Jan (ONA) --- An Israeli special force assassinated three Palestinians, after they infiltrated Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin, in the West Bank today. Sources from inside the hospital said that about 10 soldiers from the Israeli Special Force, who disguised themselves in civilian clothes as doctors and nurses, infiltrated the hospital individually, headed to the third floor, and assassinated the three young men using silenced firearms, according to the Palestinian news agency ...

Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives UN Special Envoy for YemenMuscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen.During the meeting, the two sides reviewed efforts made to support Yemeni parties to reach a political solution that achieves security and stability for Yemen and the region. They also discussed the repercussions of Israel's war against the people of Gaza on the Yemeni cause and navigation in the Red Sea.The meeting was ...

Oman, Norway Hold Political Talks SessionMuscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Norway today hold a session of political talks.The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, while the Norwegian side was headed by Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.During the session, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations. They also affirmed the two sides’ keenness to enhance cooperation in all fields.The two sides discussed several regional and ...

Oman Denounces Attack on American Personnel on Jordan-Syria Borders Muscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman has expressed its denunciation of the recent drone attack on American personnel on the Jordanian-Syrian border that left a number of people dead and others wounded. The attack constituted a violation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s security and sovereignty, as well as a serious escalation of tension in the region that was the outcome of the persistent Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Oman expressed ...

Human Rights Monitor: Israel Continues Violations in Gaza at Same Pace after ICJ Ruling Geneva, 29 Jan (ONA) --- The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor affirmed that 48 hours after the issuance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision, which ordered Israel to take measures to prevent the commission of the crime of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza Strip, it documented that the Israeli army continued at the same pace to kill civilians, forcibly displace them, and starve them. The Monitor indicated that it documented the killing of more than 373 ...