News

Foreign Minister, Algerian Counterpart Stress importance of Political Pressure to Stop War in GazaMuscat, 25 Oct (ONA) —— Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi and Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of Algeria and expressed, through phone call, their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their historical steadfastness and human suffering in Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied territories against the Israeli occupation and destruction forces.The two ministers stressed the importance of increasing the politicalArab, Islamic and global ...

UN Special Coordinator Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Aid Entry into Gaza New York, 25 Oct (ONA) --- Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process affirmed that "the risk of a significant further deterioration of the situation in the occupied West Bank or spillover of the conflict in the region remains significant." During a briefing to the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian cause, Wennesland said that "violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem already at worrying levels has increased ...

UNICEF: Child Casualties in Gaza "Growing Stain on Our Collective Conscience" New York, 25 Oct (ONA) --- The UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) called for an immediate ceasefire and for sustained and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance into Gaza Strip, saying that child casualties in Gaza is "a growing stain on our collective conscience". Over the past 18 days, Gaza Strip has borne witness to a devastating toll on its children, with a reported 2,360 fatalities and a reported 5,364 injuries due to unrelenting attacks, or more than 400 children reportedly ...

Foreign Minister Meets Secretary General of Netherlands Foreign Ministry Muscat, 24 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister received here today Paul Huijts, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The meeting came within the framework of the guest’s current visit to Muscat to hold political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries. The meeting focused on the tragic situation in Gaza Strip. It also stressed the necessity of continuing international endeavours and pressure towards de-escalation and ...

Foreign Minister Exchanges Views with Arab Counterparts about Tragic Situation in Gaza Muscat, 23 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today discussed the tragic situation in Gaza, during telephonic conversations with a number of Arab counterparts. The minister exchanged views on the issue during phone calls with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and ...

GCC Foreign Ministers Send Message to Permanent Representative of Brazil to UN Riyadh, 22 Oct (ONA) --- The GCC Foreign Ministers today sent a message to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Brazil to the United Nations (President of the Security Council). In the message, the GCC ministers expressed their regret that the Security Council was unable to adopt a consensus resolution that would put an end to the repercussions and serious violations of the situations in Gaza Strip. Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the current session of the ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from UK Shadow State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Muscat, 22 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received a phone call from David Lammy, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom (UK). During the telephonic conversation, the two sides touched on the tragic events taking place as a result of the Israeli military and security escalation against the Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip. They expressed deep concern over the ongoing ...

Egypt Issues Press Release on Cairo Summit for PeaceCairo, 21 (ONA) —— The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt has issued a press release on Cairo Summit for Peace, which was attended by leaders, heads of governments and envoys of a number of regional and international countries.The summit was held to consult and explore ways to advance efforts toward containing the aggravating crisis in the Gaza Strip and toward military de-escalation between the Israeli and Palestinian sides. The escalation has claimed thousands of innocent civilian lives since the outbreak of armed confrontations ...

GCC-ASEAN Summit Condemns Attacks Against Civilians, Calls for CeasefireRiyadh, 20 Oct (ONA) —— During the GCC-ASEAN Summit held in Riyadh today, the leaders exchanged views and expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East and agreed on the following:1. Condemn all attacks against civilians and call for ceasefire and for all parties concerned to ensure the most effective and efficient access for humanitarian aid, and relief supplies and other basic necessities and essential services, as well as the restoration of electricity, water, and allow the unhindered delivery ...

Foreign Minister Conducts Telephone Consultations on Gaza with UK State SecretaryMuscat, 19 Oct (ONA) —— Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi expressed Oman’s condemnation of targeting Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza which caused the death and injury of many civilians.In a telephone consultations with James Cleverly, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on current developments of the Israeli military and security escalation against the Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip, Sayyid Bad stressed the importance of major countries states and the UN ...

GCC States Urge Global Community to Act Fast for Peace, Save Palestinian LivesNew York, 19 Oct (ONA) --- In a session held by the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, GCC states urged the international community to take concrete measures to maintain security and peace and spare the lives of innocent Palestinians.The GCC states called for a permanent, comprehensive and fair solution to the Palestinian issue, based on resolutions of global legitimacy, the International Law and resolutions issued by the Security Council, most notably Resolutions No. 242 and ...

GCC Ministerial Council Demands Termination of Israeli Military Operations in GazaMuscat, 17 Oct (ONA) —— The GCC Ministerial Council has demanded an immediate ceasefire and Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, an end to the illegal Israeli blockade, ensuring the provision of humanitarian and relief aid and basic needs, the resumption of electricity and water lines, and allowing the entry of fuel, food and medicine for the residents of Gaza.This came during a joint press conference held in Muscat today by Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi and Jassim Mohammed Al ...

Foreign Ministry’s Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives Saudi Official Muscat, 17 Oct (ONA) --- Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received in Muscat today Dr. Saud Mohammed Al Sati, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political and Economic Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The two sides touched on the repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza and the coordination of stands ahead of the GCC Ministerial Meeting, due to be held in Muscat later today. The meeting also reviewed relations between Oman and KSA, ...

Foreign Minister, UNRWA Commissioner-General Stress Importance of Ceasing Military Operations Against Gaza Muscat, 16 Oct (ONA) ---- Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi made a phone call today with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining efforts to ensure the supply of humanitarian and relief aid to the Strip of Gaza. They affirmed the urgent need for resuming the work of electricity and water lines, fuel, food and ...

Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Review Regional Developments Muscat, 12 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, received here today a phone call from Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, dealing with recent developments in the region and their repercussions. The two ministers stressed the need to stop the cycle of violence and aggression and resort to peaceful solutions based on the rule of law and international legitimacy. The two ministers reviewed other regional developments, notably efforts to achieve consensus among ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Secretary of PLO Executive Committee Muscat, 12 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, received here today a phone call from Hussein Al Sheikh, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). During the phone call, the two officials discussed developments in Palestine and their repercussions emanating from the brutal Israeli escalation against Gaza. The two officials also reviewed regional and international efforts for de-escalation, cessation of the aggression, ...

Israeli Strikes Demolish Entire Gaza Neighborhoods as Sealed-off Territory Faces Imminent Blackout Gaza, 11 Oct (ONA) --- Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area, as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighborhoods. Hospitals ran low on supplies and a power blackout was expected within hours, deepening the misery in Gaza Strip. Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Hamas militant group ...

UNRWA Affirms its Inability to Bring any Aid into Gaza Strip since Saturday New York, 11 Oct (ONA) --- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reaffirmed that the agency has been unable to bring any aid into the Gaza Strip since Saturday. It added that UNRWA employees continue their humanitarian work despite the risks and difficult circumstances. Juliette Touma, UNRWA Director of Communications said that the agency lost four of its employees as a result of the air strikes on Gaza and that at least 14 of its facilities were damaged directly and ...

Afghanistan Hit by Second Earthquake in Days Kabul, 11 Oct (ONA) --- Another earthquake has hit western Afghanistan just days after two large quakes in the same region killed more than 1,000 people. The new 6.3 magnitude quake today struck at around 05:10 local time (00:40 GMT), 28km (17 miles) north of the city of Herat. More than 100 were injured and sent to hospital, health officials said. The wider impact is not yet clear, but many were sleeping in the open after their homes were destroyed last Saturday, BBC news reported. Aid agencies have said ...

GCC-EU Council Calls for De-escalation between Israelis and Palestinians Muscat, 10 Oct (ONA) --- The Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council stressed the importance of restraint and de-escalation between Palestinians and Israelis, as well as the release of detainees from both sides.This was unveiled during a press conference at the 27th session of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council which convened in Muscat. Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister said that month-long preparations preceded the 27th GCC-EU session held this time in the backdrop of a very serious crisis between ...

Communique of 27th Meeting of GCC-EU Ministerial Council in Muscat Muscat, 10 Oct (ONA) --- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) met in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on 9-10 October 2023 for the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council’s meeting. The meeting aimed to further consolidate the strategic partnership between the two organisations. A communique was issued following the conclusion of the meeting. The GCC delegation was headed by Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman and Chairman of the ...

Oman's Foreign Policy, Regional, International Efforts Receive European AcclaimMuscat, 10 Oct (ONA) --- Foreign ministers taking part in the 27th meeting of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council hailed the Sultanate of Oman’s foreign policy and the country’s regional and international efforts to establish dialogue for peace and build pillars of prosperity and stability.Speaking to Oman News Agency (ONA), the ministers pointed out that dialogue constitutes a permanent principle and a strong approach in Oman’s foreign policy based on deep conviction in the role of dialogue in ...

27th GCC-EU Ministerial Council’s Meeting Discusses Strategic Partnership, Regional Issues Muscat, 10 Oct (ONA) --- Deliberations of the 27th meeting of the Joint GCC-EU Ministerial Council began at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat today. Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, Head of the current session, said “We look forward to fruitful conversations and to taking some significant steps towards the further development of the relationship between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council”. He added that the meeting that this meeting is a key ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Iranian CounterpartMuscat, 10 Oct (ONA) —- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received a phone call from Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.During the telephonic conversation, the two sides reviewed the bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments of mutual concern.The two ministers expressed their concern over the current escalation between Israelis and Palestinians. They underscored the importance of reaching a just solution based on the ...

AL Ministerial Council to Discuss Israeli Aggression on Gaza on Wednesday Cairo, 9 Oct (ONA) --- The Arab League (AL) Council at the level of foreign ministers will hold a meeting at the League's headquarters after tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, at the request of the State of Palestine. In a statement today, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League said that this emergency session of the Council will be chaired by Morocco, the current president of the Ministerial Council of the Arab League. On Sunday, ...

Over 123,000 People Displaced in Gaza Strip Due to Aggression, UN New York, 9 Oct (ONA) --- The United Nations (UN) today said that over 123,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip considering the persistent Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip for the third day. "Over 123,538 people have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns, and the destruction of their homes," said the UN's humanitarian agency, OCHA. More than 73,000 are sheltering in schools, OCHA added, some of which have been designated emergency shelters, while the United ...

Palestinian Health Ministry Warns of Dangerous Health Situation in Gaza Gaza, 9 Oct (ONA) --- The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned that the mounting Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip aggravates the health situation as hospitals are facing a major shortage of electricity, medicines, and fuel due to the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Most areas in Gaza are off the grid because the Israeli entity has stopped supplying Gaza with energy after imposing a full blockade, with the national supplier being unable to supply the strip with electricity needs which is obviously ...

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from UK Secretary of StateMuscat, 9 Oct (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received a phone call from James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK).The two sides expressed concern over the current escalation between Israelis and Palestinians. They underlined the need to get the international community shoulder its responsibilities toward this serious crisis by intervening immediately to stop the escalation and tackle its repercussions that threaten ...

Death Toll of Israeli Occupation Aggression on Gaza Rises to 370 Ramallah, 8 Oct (ONA) --- The death toll of the Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza Strip has risen to 370 martyrs and 2200 injuries. Several bodies of the martyrs were retrieved, including children, due to the shelling carried out by the occupation's warplanes in multiple areas in Gaza, Palestinian medical sources reported today. The occupation's fighter jets bombarded lands between the towns of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia with dozens of rockets and concussion bombs, north of Gaza. Palestinian sources ...

700 People Killed in Israel Following Hamas Attack Tel Aviv, 8 Oct (ONA) --- As many as 700 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday's attack, according to Israeli officials. More than 700 people have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched its surprise attack Saturday. The death toll is expected to rise further, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer told CNN today. “We are well north of 700 people who have been killed. There will probably be more — hundreds, several hundred more,” Dermer said. More than 2,000 people are wounded, ...