Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs in the Sultanate of Oman, received in his Office at Bait Al Falaj in Muscat (photo) General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander of the United States Central Command, who is currently visiting the Sultanate.

General McKenzie expressed his own condolences and the sympathies of personnel of the US Central Command on the death of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Bin Taimour.  He also expressed his sincere wishes of success to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

The two sides reviewed aspects of military cooperation between the Sultanate and the United States and discussed issues of common concern.  General McKenzie voiced the United States’ appreciation for the prominent role of the Sultanate in various regional issues, commending, in particular, Oman’s efforts “to realize rapprochement of views and extend bridges of cooperation and friendship with countries of the world.”

The guest also valued the advanced level of military cooperation between the two countries, reaffirming his country’s keenness to keep fostering this cooperation in a manner that serves the interest of the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Lt. General Ahmed bin Harith al-Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, the US Ambassador to the Sultanate and the delegation accompanying the guest.

For his part, the Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) separately received in his office at Mu’askar Al Murtafa’ the visiting U.S. Commander and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides exchanged viewpoints and discussed several matters of common concern. 

Lastly, General Sultan bin Mohammed al-Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office received in his office General Kenneth F. McKenzie and his accompanying delegation.

General al-Nu’amani welcomed the guest who offered the condolences on the demise of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. He expressed his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy on this immense loss. He also affirmed the deep historical relations between the Sultanate and the friendly United States of America.

The two sides also touched on the good bilateral relations and a range of issues of common concern.