Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed Beirut on Tuesday morning for a two-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, responding to an invitation from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq © OPN
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed Beirut on Tuesday morning for a two-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, responding to an invitation from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
This visit comes as part of Beirut’s efforts to reinforce diplomatic ties with Gulf states after years of strained relations linked to Hezbollah’s political influence.
Notably, Oman stood apart from other Gulf countries during the 2021 diplomatic crisis, choosing not to impose a travel ban or trade embargo on Lebanon at a time when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait had downgraded relations.
Muscat has long maintained a reputation as a neutral, stabilizing actor in regional affairs, and observers say the Lebanese president’s trip reflects Oman’s continued willingness to engage constructively with Beirut.
Details of the agenda have not yet been disclosed, but discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, regional diplomacy, and economic support for Lebanon as it navigates a prolonged political and financial crisis.
Gulf hostilities flared again on Wednesday, with an Iranian missile attack damaging Kuwait's airport and the U.S. military carrying out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomacy between Washington and Tehran showed little progress.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met Tuesday at the State Department for a fourth round of direct talks, even as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued unabated on the ground.
Benjamin Netanyahu is under criticism at home after U.S. President Donald Trump declared Israel would halt plans to attack Iran ally Hezbollah in Beirut, highlighting pressure the Israeli leader faces ahead of an election polls show him losing.
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