Oman's Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi bin Abdullah on Wednesday urged the Palestinian Authority to delay naming an independent state in the interests of the Middle East peace process.
"The Palestinians have the right to a state, that's an issue the world accepts. But measures must be taken to revive negotiations" with Israel, Abdullah told newspapers.
"If the Palestinians delay (naming the state) in the interests of the negotiations, it would be a move appreciated by the whole world. It would show their commitment to peace," he said.
The minister was speaking before his departure for Pakistan for talks on "bilateral political and economic cooperation."
Oman is the only Gulf Arab country that has a trade office in Israel, opened in August 1996. Its chief was recalled in January 1997.
Along with Qatar, it also hosts an Israeli trade mission on its own soil. Neither has diplomatic relations with Israel - MUSCAT (AFP)
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