Yesterday, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, welcomed His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said of Oman to 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders started their meeting by discussing the dire situation in Gaza. They both expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and agreed that the suffering must end. They called for urgent delivery of large-scale aid to the region. The Prime Minister also confirmed the UK's support for Jordan's air-drop missions to get aid to those most in need.

The Prime Minister shared details of his recent talks with other world leaders. Both he and the Sultan agreed on the importance of a long-term peace plan that includes a path toward political recognition. They also stressed the need for Hamas to release all hostages, disarm, commit to a ceasefire, and accept that they will have no role in Gaza’s future.

Turning to regional issues, the Prime Minister thanked the Sultan for Oman’s continued diplomatic efforts with Iran, aimed at preventing conflict and promoting peace and stability in the region.

The conversation also covered the UK’s ongoing trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Prime Minister highlighted the significant opportunities this deal could create for the UK economy and British businesses. They also discussed deepening cooperation in key sectors like energy, technology, defence, and security.

Both leaders agreed to stay in close contact going forward. Photo by RachelH_, Wikimedia commons.