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Oman to push ahead with development plans

MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said presided over the Council of Ministers’ meeting at Bait Al Barakah here yesterday. His Majesty opened the meeting by thanking the Almighty for the numerous bounties and blessings bestowed on Oman for it to always remain an oasis for security, stability and tranquillity.

He prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless everyone with success, so that the development march in Oman continues to achieve its envisaged objectives. His Majesty congratulated the government and citizens on the New Year, hoping that it would be a blessed and prosperous year for this beloved country and its faithful people.

His Majesty the Sultan reviewed the domestic, regional and international situations.

At the domestic level, His Majesty spoke of the economic situation of the Sultanate, citing it as satisfactory.

The state’s budget for 2009 will contribute new bricks to what has already been achieved and the Sultanate is pushing ahead with its development plans despite the fall in oil prices.

His Majesty commended the realistic approach pursued in preparing the budget.

His Majesty the Sultan also hailed the study prepared by the government on the outcome of education, giving directives for its implementation.

His Majesty also spoke about a number of other issues that concern the country and citizens, directing the Council of Ministers to take appropriate actions in their respect.

On the regional and international situation, His Majesty the Sultan spoke about the Israeli onslaught on Gaza and the aggression the Palestinian brothers are being subjected to there, expressing his grief and sorrow, stressing their adverse implications on peace, security and stability in the region.

His Majesty urged the Palestinian factions to unite in the hour of crisis, hoping that the ongoing efforts would find fundamental solutions to the crisis. His Majesty the Sultan also analysed the situations in some countries in the region, praying to Allah the Almighty that peace would prevail in all the countries so that their people would enjoy security, stability and direct their potentials for a better future and prosperity.

At the end of the meeting, His Majesty the Sultan gave his directives to the Council of Ministers to continue with their efforts in the comprehensive development of the nation, wishing them all continued success.