UK Navy's destroyer to visit Port Sultan Qaboos 

(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) The UK Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond will soon make a port visit to Muscat as she nears the end of a six-month deployment of being engaged in maritime security operations in the region, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.Currently in the vicinity of Port Sultan Qaboos and awaiting berthing in the next few days, MoD said the visit symbolises the continued cooperation with Gulf states in the region, and comes as the destroyer nears the end of her time in the region ahead of preparations to hand over her role to the inbound Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth.''Diamond has been in theatre (the area) for five months now. During this time we have demonstrated UK's commitment to building and preserving safer seas for trade and communications and denying their use to those who would threaten security in the region,'' said Commander Ian Clarke, Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond.In addition to her maritime security role, the warship has engaged in a number of exercises with navies operating in the region and also hosted a delegation from the Royal Navy of Oman in October. The vessel will host a number of guests and also provide an opportunity for the ship's staff to take a short break ashore before returning to sea.