Syrian President Bashar al-Assad concluded on Monday a short visit to Oman where he met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Bait al-Baraka Royal Palace, said the Omani Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry said Sultan Haitham renewed his condolences and sincere sympathy for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye on Feb. 6.

It added that the Sultan assured Assad that Oman would continue to support Syria as it grapples with the aftermath of the earthquake.

Assad thanked the Sultan, the government, and the Omani people for their solidarity and support with Syria, lauding Omani relief efforts that helped in mitigating the impact of the earthquake.

The Ministry said the officials reviewed the bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields. They also addressed regional and international developments and efforts to consolidate security and stability in the region and world.

Later, Sultan Haitham and Assad held closed-door talks.

Oman is the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country that has not severed its diplomatic and political ties with Damascus after the eruption of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain recently reopened their embassies in Damascus after they had been closed since 2012.

In May 2021, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited Oman on his first visit to an Arab and Gulf country since assuming his position. In July 2019, former Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi visited Damascus, the second since the eruption of the conflict in 2011.