London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and visiting Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq engaged in discussions on Wednesday addressing the recent humanitarian situation in Gaza, ongoing UK-Gulf talks on a free trade deal, and the Iranian dossier.
According to Kuwait News Agency, during their meeting, both leaders emphasized the urgency of addressing the starvation and panic affecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They called for the immediate provision of substantial humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, as stated by 10 Downing Street.
Starmer reiterated the UK's support for Jordan's airdrop operations aimed at swiftly delivering aid to the most vulnerable populations in Gaza. He also updated Sultan Haitham on his recent discussions with global leaders concerning the situation in Gaza and the broader Palestinian issue.
The discussions underscored the importance of formulating a long-term peace plan that includes a path to recognizing the state of Palestine. Regarding the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) talks, Starmer highlighted the significant potential offered by the free trade deal for Britain and its partners.
Both leaders agreed on enhancing UK-Oman collaboration in critical areas such as energy, technology, defense, and security. In relation to the Iranian nuclear issue, Starmer expressed gratitude to Sultan Haitham for Oman's ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution that ensures regional security.