Muscat – Lebanon’s President Gen Joseph Aoun visited the National Museum, Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on Wednesday as part of his official visit to Oman.

At the National Museum, he was received by Jamal bin Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the museum. He toured its main galleries and was briefed on the sultanate’s maritime history, including a model of the armed Muscat Baghlah, once among the largest commercial vessels in the Arabian Gulf.

The president viewed incense burners in the Land of Frankincense Gallery, including pieces on loan from the History Museum of Armenia, and a burner from the civilisation of Magan dating back nearly 2,000 years BC. In the Splendours of Islam Gallery, he viewed a 1960 edition of the Holy Bible printed in Harissa, Lebanon, presented to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2006.

His tour included the Oman and the World Gallery, where he was briefed on Oman-East Africa ties, and saw the Qamoos al Shari‘a, the largest Ibadi jurisprudence encyclopaedia published by the Royal Press in Zanzibar. In the Renaissance Gallery, he viewed the original ‘Will Letter No 1’ written by the late Sultan Qaboos to the Royal Family Council.

The museum’s Land and the People Gallery features documents reflecting Oman–Lebanon relations, including correspondence between Lebanese notables and the Sultans of Zanzibar, and coins presented by former Lebanese President Émile Lahoud. He also viewed Lebanese educational books from the 1960s.

At the end of his tour of the museum, President Aoun signed the VIP Guest Book, noting the role of cultural exchange in strengthening ties.

The president later toured ROHM, where he was briefed on its facilities, performance schedule and technical capabilities. He reviewed the venue’s architectural features, which blend Omani design with international influences. He described the visit as an opportunity to appreciate Oman’s cultural institutions and signed the guest book.

At Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, President Aoun and his delegation received an overview of the mosque’s construction, design elements and facilities. They visited the library and lecture hall and were briefed on the mosque’s role in promoting Islamic scholarship. The president signed the mosque’s guest book at the end of the tour.

President Aoun was accompanied by H E Dr Mahad bin Said Ba’owain, Minister of Labour and Head of the Mission of Honour, on the visits.