VARIOUS: Oman's minister for Foreign Affairs Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah says Arab League needs to handle Syria crisis

Record ID: 280466

  • Title: VARIOUS: Oman's minister for Foreign Affairs Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah says Arab League needs to handle Syria crisis
  • Date: 19th March 2012
  • Summary: MUSCAT, OMAN (MARCH 17, 2012) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS YOUSSEF BIN ALAWI BIN ABDULLAH, SAYING: "Yes true that Oman is sharing the Strait of Hormuz waters with Iran, but the most deep water where the ship's steering is in Oman's side. We are doing our best to keeping these water passages open for the benefit of the international trade a
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic, At Sea, Oman, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • City:
  • Country: Syrian Arab Republic Oman Iran, Islamic Republic of At Sea
  • Topics: Crime,Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACGSD6P6183LWVIIR3VIPMV00L
  • Story Text: Oman's minister for foreign affairs said on Saturday (March 17) the Arab League needed to resolve the Syrian crisis through constructive dialogue and without any outside military intervention similar to that used against Gaddafi's Libya.
    "Syria is a brotherly country going through a crisis that has regional and international implications. The view of the Sultanate is, like a number of Arab countries, that the Arab League is now responsible for dealing with this crisis on the basis of understanding and along the decisions taken by the Arab League, most importantly the search for an end to the crisis in Syria and prevent any foreign military intervention. The Arab League has to establish dialogue," said Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the minister of foreign affairs.
    On Iran, Oman -- located strategically on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran -- said the risk of military conflict between Tehran and the West was rising but there was still plenty of opportunity to negotiate peace.
    Iran spooked oil markets in late December when it threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of global oil exports pass, if there were any military strikes against the country or its nuclear facilities.
    "Yes true that Oman is sharing the Strait of Hormuz waters with Iran, but the most deep water where the ship's steering is in Oman's side. We are doing our best to keeping these water passages open for the benefit of the international trade and flow of energy to the rest of the world, but there is no guarantee once the situation is broken, we cannot offer alternatives and I think everyone around the world will suffer," said Abdullah.
    The Strait of Hormuz sees an average of 14 crude oil tankers pass each day. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, regularly patrols Gulf waters and frequently passes through the strait.
    Iran has repeatedly denied charges by Western nations it is developing the capability to build nuclear weapons, but the United States and European Union have recently imposed tougher sanctions in an effort to force Tehran to curb its nuclear programme.
    "We know for sure that Iran wants to strike a deal with the international community and we are aware that the United States do not want to take any decisions in military confrontations."
    "It is in the interests of both sides to come to the middle road, that is still not in the hand, we can see the threat of unfortunate flash of military confrontation more possible than remote."
    Oman on several occasions has acted as an intermediary between Iran and the West.
    Last year, Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said facilitated the release of two U.S. hikers held by Tehran for spying, and three French aid workers held hostage by Yemeni tribesmen were freed in November after Oman negotiated their release.
    Speculation has grown in recent months that Israel, with or without U.S. support, may launch some form of pre-emptive military strike against Iranian nuclear installations, which the Jewish state sees as a threat to its existence.
    Talks over its nuclear programme have been on and off over the years, but last week Iran said it would welcome a new round of nuclear negotiations with six world powers.
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