Oman Observer

His Majesty pardons prisoners
HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme Commander, pardoned a number of Omani and non-Omani prisoners who were convicted for different crimes. The Royal pardon, which coincides with the advent of the blessed Eid al Adha, is in pursuance of HM’s continuous grants.
— ONA

HM exchanges Eid greetings by phone
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos yesterday evening exchanged Eid al Adha greetings over the telephone with Shaikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen. His Majesty the Sultan wished the leaders good health, happiness and a long life. He prayed to the Almighty to achieve their peoples’ aspirations for further progress and prosperity. The leaders also expressed their sincere greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the Sultan, praying to the Almighty to grant him good health, happiness and a long life. They wished the Omani people continued progress under His Majesty’s wise leadership.
— ONA

Condolences to Cyprus
HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of condolences to President Demetris Christofias of Cyprus on the death of Tassos Papadopoulos, former president of Cyprus. His Majesty the Sultan extended his sincere condolences to the president, the government and the friendly people of Cyprus.
— ONA

Japan PM thanks HM
HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has received a cable of thanks from Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in reply to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on his appointment as prime minister. Premier Taro Aso thanked His Majesty the Sultan for his sincere greetings and wishes that bilateral relations would continue to grow and prosper.
— ONA

Civil Service Council greets HM, discusses job issues

MUSCAT — The Civil Service Council yesterday held its 5th meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court and Chairman of the Civil Service Council. Al Busaidy extended his sincere greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on the blessed Eid al Adha, praying to Allah to grant many happy...

His Majesty receives Eid greetings from dignitaries

MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has received a cable of greetings from Dr Yahya al Mantheri, Chairman of the Majlis Addawla, on the occasion of the blessed Eid al Adha. Dr Al Mantheri extended his greetings and those of the Majlis members on this happy occasion. He prayed to the Almighty to grant many happy returns of the great occasion on His Majesty...

Council of Ministers affirms decision on moon sighting accurate

MUSCAT — The Council of Ministers has reaffirmed that the decision taken by the Moon Sighting Committee for the
month of Dhul-Hajja (1429) AH was accurate. The celebration of Eid al Adha by the Sultanate tomorrow bears on the
committee’s decision and on what has been studied previously in co-ordination with Majlis Ash’shura and other state...

Macki begins Japan visit, to launch LNG, oil tankers
TOKYO — Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and Chairman of Oman Shipping Company (OSC), arrived here yesterday on a visit to Japan. During the visit, Macki will preside over the commissioning of OSC’s LNG tanker Barka and oil products tanker Liwa. He will also meet with senior Japanese government and private sector officials to discuss joint economic and investment co-operation and ways of developing nations. Macki is accompanied by officials from the ministries of Finance and National Economy, the OSC, Oman Oil Company and Oman LNG.
— ONA

Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — A human tide circled Mount Arafat as hundreds of thousands of devotees celebrated the high point of the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. Starting just after dawn, the faithful made their way slowly on foot or by bus towards the hill, also known as the Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon more than 14 centuries ago.

Palestinian prisoners set for release

JERUSALEM — An Israeli cabinet committee gave its approval to a list of 230 Palestinians to be freed under a prisoner release agreed as a goodwill gesture to President Mahmud Abbas. The prime minister’s office said that none of the 230 were implicated in deadly attacks against Israelis. The list of names will now be posted on the Internet to allow ordinary Israelis to lodge...

Obama vows new deal for Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — US president-elect Barack Obama called for a grand new approach to fighting terror in South Asia starting with the promise of a better life for Afghans. Military means alone would not suffice, he said in an NBC interview broadcast yesterday, while pressing India and Pakistan to heal their divide over Kashmir following the recent massacre in Mumbai.

Pirates threaten to pull out of Ukraine ship deal

MOGADISHU — Somali pirates holding an arms-laden Ukrainian cargo ship yesterday accused the owners of stalling on
a ransom payment and threatened to pull out of a deal for its release struck a week ago. The warning came as the European
Union prepared to launch its first-ever naval operation to tackle piracy near the Horn of Africa.

Nobel winner Krugman fears damage to economy

STOCKHOLM — Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel economics prize, said yesterday policy makers would be unable to prevent the global economic crisis from inflicting serious damage. Speaking in Stockholm where he will collect his prize, US economist Krugman praised the choice of Timothy Geithner to be Treasury Secretary in Barack Obama’s administration...	Read more