Omani FM: We are exerting efforts to end tensions between Iraq, Gulf states

Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Youssef bin Alawi confirmed that Oman is pursuing its utmost to end the tensions between Iraq and its Gulf neighbors, saying that Iraq is a legitimate government and has a great role in this respect.

In a lecture he delivered at Sultan Qaboos bin Said University, the Omani minister said yesterday that Muscat has no intention of establishing relations with Israel unless Israeli its policy is changed so it can accept the establishment of a Palestinian state and withdraw from occupied Arab territories in south Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

Muscat has halted its relations with Israel after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government announced the project of building the Abu Ghenim settlement.

Concerning the acceptance of Yemeni membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Omani minister said that Oman will present all help to Yemen so it can amend its economic structure to conform with the economic systems in GCC countries.