Muscat —His Majesty Sultan Qaboos returned home yesterday from Kuwait winding up his two-day private visit to Shaikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. During the visit, His Majesty the Sultan held meetings with the Emir dealing with the bilateral relations and means of enhancing them to serve the interests of the Omani and Kuwaiti peoples. They also reviewed issues of common concern. His Majesty the Sultan also met with Kuwait’s senior officials and discussed with them the existing relations between the two countries.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos earlier paid a private visit during December 26-28 to Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The two visits came within the framework of the strong relations binding the Sultanate with the UAE and Kuwait which His Majesty, Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Sabah are keen to enhance to serve the interests of the Omani, Emirati and Kuwaiti peoples.

During the two visits, His Majesty was accompanied by a delegation comprising Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court; Gen Ali bin Majid al Maamari, the Royal Office Minister; Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs; Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, National Economy Minister and Supervisor of the Finance Ministry; Mohammed bin al Zubair, His Majesty the Sultan’s Adviser for Economic Planning Affairs; and Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Commerce and Industry Minister. Earlier, Shaikh Sabah led the farewell party for His Majesty the Sultan upon his departure at the Emiri Airport.

His Majesty was also seen off by Shaikh Nawaf al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah, Heir Apparent; Jassim Mohammed al Khurafi, Chairman of Kuwaiti Ummah Council; Shaikh Nassir al Mohammed al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah, Prime Minister; Shaikh Jaber al Mubarak al Hamad al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Shaikh Mohammed al Khalid al Hamad al Sabah, Head of National Security Service and Head of the Mission of Honour which accompanied His Majesty the Sultan; Shaikh Salim bin Suhail al Maashani, Sultanate’s Ambassador to Kuwait; Shamlan Abdulaziz al Roomi, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Sultanate and senior commanders of the Kuwaiti Army, Police and National Guard.

Meanwhile, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Sabah upon his departure. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Sabah for the warm welcome and hospitality. He also praised the good outcome of the meetings with the Emir. His Majesty wished the Emir good health and happiness and the Kuwaiti people further progress and prosperity under Shaikh Sabah’s wise leadership. — ONA