Syrian FM visits Oman on rare Gulf mission

MUSCAT: Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem landed in the Omani capital on Monday for talks with officials, the two countries' news agencies said.

Oman, a US ally bordering Saudi Arabia and Yemen, has good ties with Iran, a key backer of the Syrian regime, and has frequently served as a mediator in the Arab world.

Its state news agency ONA said Muallem's visit would cover "several days during which he will meet with a number of senior officials in the sultanate", without giving details.

The visit will cover "the current situation in the region and means of strengthening bilateral ties", said Syria's SANA news agency.

It is Muallem's second trip to Oman since the 2011 outbreak of Syria's conflict, during which it has been the only Gulf state to host a Syrian foreign minister.