General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Staff of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan arrived to Muscat Sunday on an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman which lasted for several-days.

Upon his arrival, he was received at A’Seeb Airbase by Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), several senior RAO Officers, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman and the Military Attaché of Pakistan’s Embassy at Muscat.

On Monday, Dr. Mohammed Nassir Al Za’abi, Secretary General at Oman’s Ministry of Defence received in his office at Al Murtafaa Garrison the visiting Pakistani General (photo), Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

The meeting discussed a set of military topics of mutual interest and was attended by Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), the Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman and the Military Attaché at the Pakistani Embassy in Muscat.

For his part, Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) also received in his office at Al Murtafaa Garrison the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged viewpoints and discussed various military matters of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) and Commodore Issa Salim Al Owaisi, SAF Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration and Supply. It was also attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman and the Military Attaché at the Pakistani Embassy in Muscat.

Lastly, Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) received in his office at Al Murtafaa Garrison General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Staff of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged viewpoints and discussed various military topics of mutual interest. The meeting was attended by a number of senior RAO officers.

Furthermore, the Pakistani Chief of Staff and his accompanying delegation visited the Maritime Security Center (MSC). The guest was accompanied by Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO).

Upon arrival at the MSC, he was received by Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and the Acting Head of the MSC.

The guest and his accompanying delegation were briefed on the tactical roles of the centre in the safety of the maritime environment. They was also briefed on the roles and tasks carried out by the center within its national duties.

Lastly, the Pakistani delegation visited the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Museum where they were greeted by Brigadier Salim Saif Al Hosni, Senior Staff Officer at the RAO Command, Commander of SAF Museum.

The guests were briefed on the march of SAF’s development. They also toured various sections of the museum and viewed its glorious military heritage.

In another development, Major General Mattar Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) received tBrigadier General Kioumars Heydari, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged viewpoints and discussed various military topics of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Brigadier Sultan Mohammed Al Ma’amari, Director General of Operation and Intelligence, Brigadier Breik Mohammed Al Ghafri, Director General of Supply and Housing, and a number of senior RAO officers.

Brigadier General Heydari is a member of the delegation accompanying the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

For his part, HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs also received the visiting Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on several matters of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), the Iranian Ambassador to Oman and the Military Attaché at the Iranian Embassy in Muscat.

Meantime, activities of the annual naval drill (Sharp Dagger), conducted by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), began at Al Batinah maritime zone Monday.

The drill, conducted with the support of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) jets, runs till 11 May, with the participation of a group of military ships belonging to the navies of a number of countries.