Agencies
Muscat


Oman’s Sultan Qaboos made a rare public appearance yesterday to address the annual session of parliament, in his first live broadcast speech since he returned from an eight-month medical stay in Germany.
Upon his return in March, state media said his treatment had been a success and that he was in “complete health”. But he has made few public appearances since returning and is usually represented abroad by other senior officials.
Appearing in good health, Qaboos spoke for three minutes in his address to the Oman Council, which is made up of both elected and appointed members.
Qaboos has ruled the country since 1970. He is credited with transforming it into a prosperous state that plays an important role in regional diplomacy.
Oman has helped facilitate peace efforts in the region, acting as an intermediary for contacts between Iranian and US diplomats that culminated in the landmark nuclear deal in July and backing talks to end Yemen’s ongoing civil war.   
Oman, which has a population of around 4mn, has mediated in the release of several foreigners seized in countries in the region.