A message from Sultan Qaboos to President al-Assad

Oman's minister of state for foreign affairs, Youssef Bin Alawi, arrived in Damascus on Wednesday on a visit to Syria.

He was welcomed by the Syrian minister of state for foreign affairs, Nasser Qaddour, Foreign Ministry officials and Oman's ambassador in Damascus. In an arrival statement, the Omani foreign minister said "This visit will be a great chance to exchange views with our brothers in Syria. I also carry a message-- an oral message-- from Sultan Qaboos Bin Said to his brother, Hafez al-Assad. It is a message of solidarity and consultation."

He added, "We will reach a stronger stand that serves the Arab interests, especially in light of the meetings of the Arab League council recently held in Beirut. He added, "The decisions taken, as we (Oman) preside over the current session of the Arab League and take part in the five-member committee concerning the Arab summit, there are several issues that we are in need to consult and to learn the viewpoint of our Syrian brothers concerning it."

Replying to a question on convening the Arab summit, Bin Alawi said, "There are consultations among members of the special committee in this regard, and this issue will be among the topics we will study with the Syrian leadership during this visit."