MUSCAT // United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon used a stopover in Oman yesterday to urge Saudi Arabia and Iran to compromise and seek to calm a flare-up in tensions between the two regional rivals.
Mr Ban made the comments while on a two-day visit to Oman.
“I hope that both Iran and Saudi Arabia, despite mistrust and difficulties, will bring realism, responsibility and compromise to their dealings, and to the region,” said the South Korean diplomat, addressing Oman’s National Defence College.
He expressed hope that last month’s lifting of sanctions on Iran after its nuclear deal with world powers would lead to “increasingly responsible behaviour in the region”.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran escalated last month after Saudi authorities executed a prominent Shiite cleric Nimr Al Nimr, sparking protests in Iran.
Oman has frequently acted as a discreet mediator to some of the region’s thornier disputes, maintaining contacts with its powerful neighbours.
It hosted secret talks between Washington and Tehran in the lead-up to last year’s landmark nuclear deal and, more recently, negotiations aimed at resolving the civil war in Yemen.
It has also helped to secure the release of some captives held by Yemeni rebels.
Mr Ban praised Oman for its “unique role of bringing people together, facilitating dialogue and finding common ground”.
His visit included talks with Omani officials including Yusuf bin Alawi, the foreign affairs minister.
* Associated Press
