Japan's PM, Shinzo Abe, met with the new Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. (Image via Japan Today)

Abe among the first visitors to meet the new Sultan of Oman

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Japan
Jan 15, 2020
1825
Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, arrived in Muscat on Tuesday to meet the new Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. The visit was a part of Abe’s tour of Gulf Arab states which includes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, amid the rising tension in the Middle East between the United States (U.S) and Iran.

Other than Abe, dignitaries and country leaders came to Oman also on Tuesday for the third straight day to pay respect and congratulate Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. After reigning for almost 50 years, on Saturday last week, the former Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, passed away at 79 years old due to colon cancer.

The dignitaries to offer condolences to Qaboos bin Said’s passing include:
1. King Salman (Saudi Arabia),
2. Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif (Iran),
3. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince Charles (U.K),
4. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (Abu Dhabi),
5. Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani (Qatar),
6. President Mahmoud Abbas (Palestine) and many others.

The visit from dignitaries and country leaders show how Qaboos managed to bring Oman as an ally of many countries. Oman goes as far as the “bridge” between the U.S and Iran. Last year, before his passing, Qaboos also hosted Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a surprise visit, the first by an Israeli leader in more than two decades.

Different than other MidEast leaders with a military background, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq only possessed experiences as a Culture Minister and diplomatic career.

The U.S was also seen sending a presidential delegation to Oman on Wednesday, led by the U.S Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette, and to include the National Security Council's Director of Arabian Peninsula Affairs, Allison Minor.

The President of the U.S, Donald Trump, also stated his deepest condolences for Qaboos’ passing, referring to him as a “true partner and friend to the U.S.” Similar condolences also were also shown by the leaders and dignitaries, referring to Qaboos bin Said as a wise leader, friend, and trusted partner.

Source: https://bit.ly/3abqx6Y

Politics , Bilateral , Condolences , Middle-East , Oman , Sultanate , Sultan , Haitham-bin-Tariq , Asia , Japan , Shinzo-Abe , Iran , Military , Conflict