Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Oman on Saturday on a visit expected to last several days, Omani state media said.
Mr Mekdad visited the National Museum in Muscat with a delegation of senior officials from Oman's foreign ministry, including Ambassador Khaled bin Saeed Al
Jaradi. At the museum, they viewed artefacts from the ancient city of Palmyra.
Palmyra and much of its ancient heritage was destroyed by ISIS during the terror group's occupation of parts of central and east Syria.
In 2019, Russia's State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg and the National Museum of Oman began an effort to restore 20 artefacts from Palmyra, which were damaged in the conflict with ISIS.
Last year, Oman became the first Gulf country to fully normalise relations with Syria following nine years of tumultuous civil conflict.
In October, Syria's late Foreign Minister Walid Al Muallim received the credentials of Oman’s representative, Ambassador Sayyid Turki Al Busaidi.
Regional moves toward peace
Oman has long positioned itself as a neutral country and venue for dialogue and cooperation, particularly following mounting regional tensions between the US and Iran, and worsening civil conflict in Yemen and Syria.
A growing number of countries share Oman's position, following an emerging international consensus that there could be no military solution to the Syrian crisis.
In 2018, the UAE's former minister of state for foreign affairs Dr Anwar Gargash announced that the UAE would be re-opening its embassy in Damascus, for "political and diplomatic work". An influx of aid followed, aiming to ease the country's humanitarian crisis which has seen as many as 12 million people internally displaced or forced to flee abroad.
Jordan re-opened border crossings in 2018, part of a formal effort to restore trade ties.
Debate has now moved to whether Syria will be re-admitted to the Arab League.
Last week, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed called for Syria to be readmitted to the pan-Arab body to ensure a regional effort in attempting to mediate an end to the bloody civil war.
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20Profile
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PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
