Omani newspapers take on Sisi’s first visit to Muscat

CAIRO – 4 February 2018: The ongoing visit of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to Muscat topped the front pages of Omani newspapers on Sunday, expressing their hopes that this visit that could strengthen ties between the two countries.

Alwatan, the first and oldest Omani newspaper, published an article titled “The meeting between the Sultan of Oman and Sisi will be the summit of their sincere and diligent work” in which the strong and deep roots between the two countries were clarified. The newspaper stated the prospect that this visit could help to achieve the interests of the two brotherly countries and their people.



Alwatan, the first and oldest Omani newspaper, published an article titled “The meeting between the Sultan of Oman and Sisi will be the summit of their sincere and diligent work”, February 4, 2018 – Alwatan

Editor-in-chief of Omani Vision, Hatim al-Tai, stated in his article: “As the city of Muscat is an oasis of peace and political balance, and its relation to Cairo is the backbone of regional and international stability as well; today's summit promises a solution to difficult regional developments and issues.”


Omani Vision’s frontpage story was convering Sisi’s visit, February 4, 2018 – Omani Vision

Al-Shabiba, an Omani daily newspaper also stated that the “Sultanate has always expressed its solidarity and support for Egypt in its battle against terrorism, and has made constant efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East as well as find solutions to the Palestinian problem.”

The Oman Daily Observer, an English-language daily broadsheet based in Muscat, published an article titled “Sisi visit to boost ties, widen scope for cooperation”, it’s stated that “It is widely known that Omani-Egyptian relations have gone a long way in achieving common interests in the fields of economy, trade, culture and media. The joint Omani-Egyptian Committee which resumed its meetings in Muscat and Cairo in the past couple of years, seeks to foster the ways of cooperation between the two brotherly countries in such a way as to achieve their common interests.”

The newspapers also posted a notice saying: “All government offices located between Muscat Airport and Al Alam Palace in Muscat have been urged to close at 12:30am due to the scheduled three-day visit of the Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.”

Times of Oman has also stated that Some schools in the Sultanate's capital will close early in anticipation of Sisi’s arrival.

The president’s spokesperson Bassam Radi stated on Saturday that “The president will meet with Sultan Qaboos and number of top Omani officials, where they will tackle ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries on all levels,” adding that the three-day official visit will witness talks between the two leaders over the latest developments in the region.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi in Muscat on November 14, 2017, as part of a Gulf tour that included Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, he delivered a message from Sisi intended for Sultan Qaboos.

Sisi was set to visit Muscat in November 2017 but the trip was postponed for unknown reasons.

While Kuwait played a vital role in an attempt to solve the Arab crisis with Qatar that that erupted past summer, Oman preferred to stay a neutral player, where Sultan Qaboos has kept silent throughout the ongoing crisis.