OMAN'S CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANESE RELIEF EFFORTS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001248 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID LE MU SUBJECT: OMAN'S CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANESE RELIEF EFFORTS REF: STEINGER-GRIMM EMAIL OF 8/18 ¶1. (SBU) On August 20, Econoff spoke with Humaid al-Maani, Deputy Director of the Under Secretary's office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),regarding Omani government efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Lebanese government agencies. Al-Maani remarked that the Omani government had arranged for 16 relief flights to Lebanon, either directly to Beirut or through Damascus. The last flight departed for Beirut on August 15 with 40 tons of household items, blankets, and food. Oman has also sent medical supplies to the Lebanese government at its request. Al-Maani noted that the MFA had received another urgent diplomatic request from the Lebanese Embassy in Muscat on August 20 for additional medical supplies. The MFA has not determined the total value of all items sent to Lebanon. ¶2. (SBU) Al-Maani commented that the Omani government has not yet decided what further assistance will be provided for Lebanon, though he stressed that Oman will furnish as much assistance as it can. The government-sponsored Oman Charitable Organization (OCO) continues to advertise for cash donations and in-kind assistance in Oman's daily Arabic and English newspapers. Furthermore, the OCO, in association with a number of corporate sponsors, will hold a fund-raising dinner and auction on August 27 for further Lebanese relief efforts. GRAPPO