Muscat: Oman has called upon all parties in the conflict in Syria to observe a ceasefire and shun violence during Eid Al Adha to protect the lives and property of the Syrians.
In a statement to Oman News Agency, an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Sultanate’s appeal stems from its keenness to stop bloodshed, maintaining its stance that denounces violence and hostilities, and calls for a political process which meets the aspirations of the Syrian people. The statement called on the Syrians to halt the exchange of fire during Eid to alleviate human suffering and allow relief efforts to reach the affected people.
The Sultanate hopes that this move will pave the way for a dialogue and political process involving all sections of the Syrian people to reach a solution and maintain security, stability and the unity of Syria and the region.
Oman also hopes that all parties in the crisis will exercise wisdom and get inspiration from the meaning of Eid to find an opportunity to stop violence, killings and destruction and resort to dialogue.
Oman is the only Gulf state not to have severed ties with the regime in Damascus, and has been in contact with both the regime and the opposition. Foreign minister Yousuf Bin Al Alawi said in a recent interview that it is not for Oman to determine whether embattled Syrian president Bashar Al Assad should step down.
