Qaboos receives call from Bush on regional situation

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received a telephone call from U.S. President George W. Bush during which they reviewed the existing cooperation between the two countries and issues of concern in the international arena, according to an official announcement.

This was the first such contact between the two leaders since Bush took over the presidency last February, and was obviously prompted by the recent terror attacks in the U.S.

The conversation took place the day President Bush addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, and three days after the Omani monarch held wide-ranging discussions in Manama with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Emir of Bahrain.

The two GCC leaders went on to renew their condemnation of the terrorist attacks on military and financial structures in the U.S. and affirm the necessity to work together with the U.S. and the international community to punish all those who support and sponsor such acts.

The same day Sultan Qaboos also reviewed with Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a telephonic conversation matters of concern in the regional and international arenas.

When contacted, Karam Elahi, Pakistan Ambassador, told Gulf News that President Musharraf apprised the Omani monarch on Friday night of Pakistan's standpoint on the terrorist attacks in the U.S. and related issues, in light of Musharraf's address to the nation.

He said both the leaders were totally against all kinds of terrorism and fully supported the U.S. campaign towards this end.

Meanwhile, Yaha bin Mahfouh Al Mantheri, Higher Education Minister, said in an interview with a local Arabic language daily that the government has made arrangements for the return of Omani students who don't feel safe in the U.S.

"We are making all arrangements to ensure the safety and security of all Omani students abroad." He, however, said there are no reports so far of any threat to their lives and all Omani students are safe.