Oman becomes first Gulf Arab state to send ambassador to Syria

Oman has sent ambassador to Syria, becoming the first Gulf Arab state to do so after they shut missions in Damascus in 2012 over government’s response to protests which turned into war.

Oman is one of the rare Arab countries that maintained diplomatic relations with Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad after 2011 uprising, despite pressure from United States and other Gulf allies.

Syria’s foreign minister accepted credentials of Oman’s Ambassador Turki Mahmood, appointed to the post by royal decree in March.

Oman’s previous foreign minister, Yusuf bin Alawi, had been to Syria on official visits twice since the uprising broke out in the country.

Bin Alawi visited Damascus in 2015 to discuss ways to “resolve the crisis in Syria.