Sweetcherry, unfortunately you are seeing what is very common in the Middle East - they have a cultural habit of telling you only what they want to, and when they want to tell you it. I've lost count of the number of times I've arranged to meet someone and they don't show and don't apologise for not showing, tried to contact people and they don't come back to you, and I've had conversations with locals where it becomes blindingly obvious that they knew what they are telling you now months ago. Be assured they will contact you to let you know, but only when it suits them. We may consider it impolite and lacking in manners, but that's just the way they are - I don't judge it, and it's what you have to live with when you work down there.