Boost to defence ties

MUSCAT: Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, received in his office at Muaskar Bait Al Falaj on Monday Air Marshal Enzo Vecciarelli, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, who is currently visiting the Sultanate.

The two sides reviewed fields of the existing military cooperation between the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them, as well as exchanging viewpoints on a number of matters of common concern.

The meeting was attended by Air Vice Marshal Matar bin Ali al Obaidani, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), the Italian Ambassador to the Sultanate and the delegation accompanying the guest.

Later, Air Vice Marshal Matar bin Ali al Obaidani also received in his office Air Marshal Enzo Vecciarelli.

The Air Vice Marshal welcomed the Italian guest, wishing him a good visit to the Sultanate. On his turn, the Italian guest expressed his happiness of this visit.

The two sides exchanged viewpoints and discussed a range of military fields, as well as issues of common concern between the two Air forces of the two friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by Air Commodore Salim bin Khalfan al Rahbi, RAFO Senior Air Staff Officer and the Military Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Muscat, as well as the delegation accompanying the guest.

Air Marshal Enzo Vecciarelli and his delegation also visited the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Museum in Bait Al Falaj Castle.

The guest and his accompanying delegation viewed the historic manuscripts and models, as well as the Omani architecture.

He was also briefed on the progress enjoyed by SAF during the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. — ONA