Oman is helping Syria and the United States exchange messages over the fate of the missing American journalist Austin Tice.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Al Monitor<\/a>, Oman\u2019s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi<\/a> also spoke about Oman\u2019s relations with China, with Israel and about its role as a regional mediator.<\/p>\n \u201cOur neutrality is not passive. It\u2019s constructive, it\u2019s positive, it\u2019s proactive,\u201d Sayyid Badr is quoted as saying.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really stick to the principle of: \u201cHow do we create a sustainable environment of peace and security and stability so that our people and our generations can prosper?” he is quoted as saying.<\/p>\n The Minister told Al Monitor<\/a> that there has been an exchange of messages, \u201cpartly\u201d with Oman\u2019s help, between Washington and Damascus about the fate of Austin Tice, a freelance US journalist who disappeared more than 10 years ago while reporting on the civil war in Syria.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know at least there are messages going back and forth,\u201d Sayyid Badr is quoted as saying. \u201cI can’t tell you that they are closer to finding a way out yet. But the process has started, and I hope it continues,\u201d he is quoted as adding.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to see hopefully Syria fully integrated back into the international community. There are questions pertaining to certain people, pertaining to certain aspects that need to be brought to closure,\u201d Al Monitor quotes Sayyid Badr as saying.<\/p>\n Al Monitor reports that Sayyid Badr is optimistic that renewed engagement with Syria could help address the country\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n