British Foreign Secretary speaks with Sultan of Oman about Yemen war

Dominic Raab visited Oman in March on his first visit to the Gulf in the role

Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab walks from the Foreign Office to 10 Downing Street in central London to attend the Government's daily COVID-19 briefing, on April 20, 2020. AFP

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke with Omani Sultan Haitham on Tuesday about working with international partners to end Yemen’s five-year war.

The Arab Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, and Yemen's internationally recognised government have been battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2015, after they took over the capital Sanaa.

Mr Raab also spoke with Sultan Haitham about the coronavirus pandemic.

“The UK and Oman are working with international partners to bring peace to Yemen," he said on Twitter.

"Also discussed co-operation on the economic impact of #coronavirus."

In March, Mr Raab visited Oman to strengthen trade between the two nations as part of his first trip to the Gulf.

Mr Raab held talks with Sultan Haitham and Yusuf bin Alawi, the Omani Foreign Minister.

The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled to the country to offer their condolences after Sultan Qaboos died of colon cancer in January.

In May 2019, London and Muscat signed the Oman-UK Comprehensive Agreement, which lays out a framework for co-operation.

Trade between the two nations has increased, last year soaring by 90 per cent to $3.7 billion (Dh13.59bn).

Britain accounts for about half of all foreign direct investment into Oman, making it the largest source.