Gonu forces Oman to let Doha host GCC summit

by Dylan Bowman Tuesday, 07 August 2007

Oman has been forced to give up hosting the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit due to the damage caused to Muscat by Cyclone Gonu, according to sources close to the country’s government.

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Oman has requested December’s meeting be held in Doha instead, as extensive rebuilding of infrastructure and facilities is still ongoing throughout its capital, sources said, reported AFP.
Oman was left devastated by the cyclone, which battered its coast for three days in June, killing at least 49 people.

Gonu caused floods and landslides across all regions, damaging main roads and bridges connecting the eastern provinces with Muscat.

In Muscat's centre, streets were turned into turbulent rivers, trees were uprooted and electricity lines cut.

Initial government estimates have put the reconstruction costs at between $3.24 billion and $3.89 billion, but the final figure could be much higher.

Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, GCC secretary general, confirmed to AFP on Monday that Qatar and the other GCC member states had agreed to hold year’s summit in Doha on the understanding that Oman would host next year’s meeting.

Al-Attiyah did not give any reason for the change.



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