Interview
Oman minister describes role as 'facilitator' of diplomacy in turbulent region
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, describes his country's role as facilitator, not mediator, to resolve the region's conflicts, including Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yemen, and the embargo of Qatar.
Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, said that Oman will consider supporting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s Persian Gulf security plan — the "Hormuz Peace Endeavor" — if the Iranian plan is based on "stability."
Rouhani briefly described the initiative in his Sept. 25 speech at the United Nations.
“We haven’t seen it,” said bin Alawi, referring to the details of Rouhani’s plan, but “if the theme … of that [plan] is based on stability, of course, we will support it.”
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, bin Alawi emphasized that Oman is a facilitator, not a mediator, in the current crisis in the region.
