Sultan Qaboos to miss Oman’s national day celebrations

The Sultan has been in Germany for medical treatment since July.

Oman's Sultan Qaboos is in Germany for medical treatment. AFP
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ABU DHABI // Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed gave a televised address on Wednesday, saying he will miss national day celebrations later this month as he continues medical treatment in Germany.

Sultan Qaboos, 73, who travelled to Europe on July 10, thanked the people of Oman for their wishes and prayers.

But he said he would not be able to return for Oman’s 44th National Day on November 18, which is also his birthday. He usually oversees an annual military parade in Muscat marking the day.

“The divine will has dictated that the occasion this year falls while we are outside the dear homeland for reasons you know,” said Sultan Qaboos. “But, by God’s grace, He prepared the good results that will require a follow-up in accordance with the medical programme during the coming period.”

In the video, broadcast on state television, Sultan Qaboos wore a hat and brown-coloured suit and is seen sitting in a chair, reading the speech from a script.

“At this time, we would like to thank you all for your sincere wishes and prayers. We pray to God that he protects and cares for you, the loyal citizens of Oman,” he said.

Oman’s royal court last month told Omanis ahead of the Eid Al Adha holiday that Sultan Qaboos was in good health, but did not say what kind of tests he was undergoing or what he might be suffering from.

His majesty the Sultan is in good health and is continuing ... during the coming period the specified medical programme, which, with God’s grace, is achieving the reassuring and required results,” the statement, read on state television, said.

In his message, Sultan Qaboos also greeted Oman’s armed forces, saying he remained committed to “equip them with whatever is necessary to carry out their duties and to deliver on their noble task of protecting the homeland and safeguarding its gains”.

foreign.desk@thenational.ae

* With reporting by Reuters