Gulf News reporter coming home

Muscat/Dubai: A sense of relief and anticipation overwhelmed the Muscat home of Gulf News reporter Abbas Al Lawati and the newspaper's offices in Dubai amid reports that he may be coming home very soon.

Abbas, who was aboard the ship attacked by Israel, on Wednesday called up Gulf News from Jordan where he was deported from Israel.

Abbas said that all of his possessions have been confiscated, including his passport. This means he will be sent to his home country of Oman, although he lives and works in Dubai.

Reacting to the news, Abbas' mother Iffat Al Lawati said: "We are relieved to hear that he is safe."

According to a WAM report, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "will transfer Arab citizens who were aboard the Freedom Flotilla back to their home countries."