AN UNPRECEDENTED WELCOME FOR KIKWETE IN OMAN!

HM receives Tanzanian president

Tue, 16 October 2012

MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos received here yesterday President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania who began a visit to the Sultanate lasting several days in response to an invitation by His Majesty the Sultan. The historic visit caps an era of advanced bilateral relations and co-operation. President Kikwete was accorded a red-carpet welcome at Al Alam Palace.

Upon the arrival of the motorcade of the President to the reception hall at Muscat Gate Museum, His Majesty led the welcoming party for the guest.

The Tanzanian President was also welcomed by His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani, Minister of the Royal Office, Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Minister of Interior, Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Minister of Justice, Darwish bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs.

His Majesty the Sultan and the Tanzanian President then headed for Al Alam Palace escorted by a group of horsemen. At the entrance of the palace, His Majesty the Sultan and President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwet ascended the Dais of Honour where the National Anthem of Tanzania was played to the accompaniment of a 21-gun salute. Then, His Majesty the Sultan shook hands with members of the official delegation accompanying President Kikwete, while the president shook hands with other of the welcoming party which includes the chairmen of the Majlis Addawla and Majlis Ash’shura, ministers and members of the mission of Honour accompanying the Tanzanian President.

His Majesty the Sultan and the guests then proceeded to the hall where they took Arabic coffee and exchanged friendly talks. During his visit to the Sultanate, President Kikwete is accompanied by an official delegation comprising Bernard Membe, Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, Energy and Minerals Minister, Dr Abdallah Kigoda, Industry and Trade Minister, Dr William Mgimwa, Finance Minister, Haroun Ali Sulaiman, Minister of Labour, Peoples Economic Empowerment and Cooperatives in Zanzibar, Dr Ali Ahmed Saleh, Ambassador of Tanzania to the Sultanate and a number of Tanzanian government officials.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and his accompanying delegation arrived here earlier in the day. They were greeted at the Royal Airport by Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Commerce and Industry Minister (Head of the Mission of Honour accompanying the guest), Yahya bin Moosa al Bakri, the Sultanate's Ambassador to Tanzania, members of the Mission of Honour accompanying the Tanzanian President and members of the Tanzanian Embassy in the Sultanate. — ONA

Source: Oman Observer