Oman says it will open representative office in Gaza

Oman said it would open a representative office in the Gaza Strip, part of the Palestinian self-rule areas.

A foreign ministry statement carried by the official Oman news agency said the decision to open the office came within the framework of its support for the Palestinian leadership in the stalled Middle East peace process.

Israel-according to deals signed by its former government-has handed over most of the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank to Palestinian rule since 1994.

Oman's foreign ministry did not say when the office would open.

Oman had established trade links with Israel after Israel signed a peace deal with the PA in 1993, but froze ties with Israel following hard-line policies by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.