MUSCAT: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Monday in Muscat, Omani state media said, for talks expected to focus on efforts to end Yemen’s 19-month conflict. ONA news agency said Kerry will be in the Gulf sultanate for two days, in one of his last trips as secretary of state before President Barack Obama’s administration ends on January 20. He is scheduled to hold talks on Monday with Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi and to meet ruler Sultan Qaboos. Oman, one of the few Arab states which have good relations with Iran, has used its links to mediate peace talks between the insurgents and Yemen’s UN-recognized government of president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. After Oman, Kerry will travel to Abu Dhabi for talks on regional conflicts, including Syria.

Source: Manila Times November 14, 2016 07:35 UTC