Mandela in Oman and Bahrain tomorrow

South African President Nelson Mandela is heading tomorrow to visit Oman then to Bahrain for two days to discuss the developments in the Middle East and the situation in Iraq.

Gulf sources told ArabicNews.com that talks will be held by Mandela and his delegation in Muscat and Manama focusing on encouraging investment from the two countries in South Africa in addition to cooperation in the association of Indian Ocean for regional cooperation and the Non-Alignment Movement.

Mandela is starting his tour, during which he is escorted by Foreign Minister Alfred Nedo, in Muscat, at the invitation of Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Said before heading to Manama at the invitation of Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa bin Khalifa in the first official visit to Bahrain since the new Emir took over after the death of his father, Sheikh Issa.

This tour is considered one of Mandela's last official visits, as the South African president will gave up his tasks following general elections on May 2 in South Africa.