Omani, British defense officials hold talks in Muscat

MUSCAT (AA) – Omani and U.K. military officials on Wednesday discussed means of boosting military ties between Muscat and London, Oman’s official news agency has reported.

Sayyid al-Busaidi, Oman’s minister responsible for defense affairs, received Nick Carter, British chief of defense staff, along with the latter’s accompanying delegation, in Muscat, according to the news agency.

At the meeting, the two men reportedly discussed “lessons learned” from last October’s “Swift Sword 3” Omani-British joint military exercises.

Al-Busaidi and Carter also reviewed joint military cooperation between their two countries and means of enhancing them.

Following talks last November between al-Busaidi and British counterpart Gavin Williamson, Oman and the U.K. signed a mutual defense agreement.

Williamson and an accompanying delegation are currently visiting Oman to attend the final phase of the “Al-Shomoukh 2” joint military exercises.