Sultan of Oman and UK's Keir Starmer celebrate '400 years of friendship' between countries

Leaders discussed defence and security issues during Downing Street meeting

The Sultan of Oman has been welcomed to Downing Street, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailing “400 years of friendship” between the two countries.

With the threat of Iran causing a regional conflict through an imminent attack on Israel, Britain’s military alliance with Oman could prove highly important.

British troops, aircraft and warships all use the country for high-level training, and the key port of Duqm, in particular, is a major logistics centre.

Mr Starmer thanked Sultan Haitham for “making time for this visit so early into our government”, which was only formed four weeks ago.

“To be able to host you here is really a privilege for me,” Mr Starmer said. “We have a long, shared history between our countries – 400 years of friendship, very strong relations and I want to ensure that we strengthen even more.”

In a statement after the meeting, Downing Street disclosed that the two leaders had noted the “special friendship” between their two countries and discussed defence, security and trade, “which they both looked forward to strengthening”.

The Prime Minister emphasised “the clear and urgent need for de-escalation” in the current Middle East crisis and urged all parties in the region “to exercise restraint”.

Gaza was also discussed, with Mr Starmer repeating calls for a ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid.

“Both agreed on the need for a two-state solution through a peace process,” Downing Street said. “They also looked forward to working closely together in the future.”

It is understood that the Sultan, who has ruled Oman since the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos in 2020, raised the issue of terrorism in his country after a rare ISIS attack on a Shiite mosque in Muscat in July led to the death of six worshippers.

The issue of the continued strikes on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen was also on the agenda.