Lahoud arrives in Oman

Lahoud arrives in Oman MUSCAT, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Sunday arrived in Salalah on an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman in response to an invitation extended by Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed.
Lahoud will be expected to discuss with the Omani officials the Arab situation in general, the situation in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf in light of the U.S. threats to launch a military strike against Iraq.
Lebanese Ambassador to the Sultanate Nezar Shams earlier told KUNA that the visit is the first of its kind to be paid by Lahoud to Oman, stressing that the visit is of a great significance and at the same time boosts the two countries' bilateral relations.
He said that Lahoud would be expected to hold talks with Sultan Qaboos over the persistent Israeli provocation against Lebanon and the situations in the Occupied Palestinian territories.
Shams noted the two sides would also look into means of boosting cooperation in the trade and economic spheres, adding there are agreements that have been struck between the two countries over encouragement of investment, ban of dual taxation and encouragement of reciprocal trade.
He said the visit falls within the framework of the persistent coordination between the two countries.
Sultan Qaboos and a number of senior Omani officials greeted Lahoud upon arrival. (end) ahr.tg KUNA 291340 Sep 02NNNN