Oman raises Yemen concerns

04 October 2015

Sultanate calls for UN mediated solutions to regional crises

  • Oman calls for UN mediated dialogue to resolve conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Palestine and Israel
  • The Foreign Minister hails the Iran nuclear deal and calls for application of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in the Middle East

Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah has called for support of UN-mediated dialogue to end violence in Yemen, Syria and Israel/Palestine, during a speech to the 70th UN General Assembly in New York.

He focused on neighbouring Yemen, where the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Alsheikh Ahmed is attempting to mediate a negotiated solution.

“We believe that the political parties in Yemen are still able to restore security and stability,” said Alawi. “In this respect, we are deeply concerned that the continuation of violence in Yemen has enabled several terrorist organisations, including those on the United Nations watch lists, to use Yemen as a base for their terrorist activities, which poses a direct threat to the region’s security and stability.”

Both al-Qaida in the Arabian Penninsula and the local chapter of Islamic State have taken advantage of the chaos to carry out attacks.

Oman also repeated its condemnation of a missile strike on its ambassador’s residence in Sanaa, without specifying a culprit.

Alawi also condemned terrorism and called for a UN-sponsored peace process in Syria.

“While we commend the efforts made by countries, regional, and international organizations to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people, we appeal to them to exert more efforts, in order to provide protection to the brotherly Syrian people at home and abroad,” he said.

“In this respect, we would like to emphasize the continuation of humanitarian program offered by the Sultanate of Oman to help the Syrian refugees.”

However, Oman itself did not offer to welcome any Syrian refugees.

Alawi hailed the Iran nuclear deal as “a model for solving controversial and complicated issues between countries, on the basis of dialogue and negotiations and regulating of international interest”. Oman has historically has close ties with Iran and played an important role in mediating the negotiations.

An Omani delegation to Tehran in late September focused on promoting investment between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister also called for application of existing nuclear proliferation treaties across the Middle East.

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