OMAN: Dialogue vital to find peace in Arab world

26th, July 2016

WISE APPROACH: His Majesty’s policies ensure tranquility in the Sultanate of Oman

Nouakchott: Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, affirmed that the Sultanate’s political approach in approximating views stems from the wise direction of the Omani leadership since His Majesty Sultan Qaboos assumed power in 1970.

In response to a question on concord, homogeneousness and tranquility being witnessed by the Sultanate under the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, he said that all countries can enjoy what the Sultanate enjoys because there is nothing in the Islamic ideology or international laws or traditions that forces you to enter into conflicts unless you desire so.

“We are inspired by the Islamic ideology since Islam calls for good and not for evil.”

Alawi pointed out that since the beginning of the 70s, the Sultanate has been in a state of war with Omani and Arab communist organisations and that this war came to an end after about four years through approximating views, persuasion, and call for peace, stability and development and without use of force. This means that it is an integrated approach emanating from our firm belief in dialogue.

Regarding Arab affairs, Alawi said: “It is true that the Arab world is experiencing severe weakness due to its geographic location, which makes it exposed to such complexities. When man experiences such state of weaknesses, he should be ready to accept the interference of external forces.”

He pointed out that the existing generation of the Arab world is experiencing unprecedented weakness.

Alawi also said that we have to measure and evaluate our stances very cautiously because at the beginning of each crisis, each party feels that he has more truth, power and right than the other party. Therefore, it is difficult to convince such a party to give up its plans.   He added that the Arab League has repeatedly said that any Arab country should not be entangled in war and calls on Arab countries to find exit for the crisis which happens due to lack of consultations.

He affirmed that the Arab countries have started feeling the general conditions being experienced by others and that the latest summit may see the light at the end of the tunnel, especially the current conditions have greatly affected the Arab reality and the reality of the international community, which seems to be working hard to reach peaceful solutions for issues.

Regarding GCC stance on Iranian nuclear issue, Alawi pointed out that the GCC states stance is that this is an international issue and not a regional one and that the P5+1 countries did not seek any interfere from any other party regarding the Iranian nuclear file.

He added that the common concern was that Iran would come out with a nuclear programme without having comprehensive controls on it, which in turn would bring instability to the region.

“We are aware that Iran had an overwhelming revolution led by groups. This doubled the concern of the Gulf states. This is the ground reality and we have to deal with it because Iranians are our neighbours with whom we have lot of common interests. Confrontation will not solve the problem and it is better to address it with wisdom,” he added.

As for as the Yemeni case is concerned, Alawi said that it is the least sophisticated crisis in the region as it is still in the hands of Yemenis who can reach an accord.

The Yemeni situation is different from the one in Syria, Libya or Iraq because the latter cases are connected with global policy.

He affirmed that despite disagreement among various parties in Yemen, still we believe that it can be solved all Yemeni parties are keen on finding a way out of this crisis.