Since Al Bustan Palace Hotel is only permitting hotel guests to dine in their dining room I was delighted to be invited to dinner there yesterday . We ate in China Mood and enjoyed a wonderful Mandarin Meal with Duck and Beef – Indian style Ice Cream was the desert . The portions were excellent and service attentive, though perhaps a little intrusive. However as always it’s the company that makes a meal and two hours passed too quickly.

However, more importantly, yesterday in Muscat Oman His Majesty Sultan Qaboos presided over the Majlis Oman. The Majlis (Council of Oman) is made up of member of the State Council (Majlis A'Dawla) and Consultative Council (Majlis A'Shura). Included in its annual meeting are Oman’s Government Ministers and members of the Omani Royal Family. The core of the speech was directed at people in positions of power within Oman reminding them of their responsibilities and that they would be held accountable if they did not follow in complete honesty and dedication. Recently the Chairman of Muscat Municipality whose responsibilities within Sohar and Muscat included infrastructure affecting the GCC Conference was dismissed, very publicly, along with his Ministerial Colleague the former Minister of Manpower . His Majesty was speaking to a very attentive audience.

Sultan Qaboos is a very impressive speaker, both in Arabic and English. I saw a speech he made as guest of honour at the Sovereigns Parade at Sandhurst (he graduated there before becoming ruler of Oman) , wonderful delivery.