Oman swears in successor to Sultan Qaboos
Oman's Minister of Heritage and Culture Haitham bin Tariq al-Said has been sworn in as new ruler of the Arab country after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said.
"Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new sultan of the country... after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the sultan," the Omani government said in a tweet on Saturday.
Meanwhile, state television broadcast images of funeral procession in the capital Muscat amid tight security.
The casket was carried into Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, where people joined prayers inside.
In his first address to the nation, Haitham vowed to uphold the Persian Gulf country's foreign policy, which he said was built on "peaceful coexistence" and friendly ties with all nations.
"We will continue to follow in the same course the late Sultan adopted … embracing foreign policies based on peaceful coexistence among peoples and countries without any interference in the domestic affairs of other states," he said in a televised speech after the funeral service.
"We will continue as always … contributing and calling for peaceful and amicable solutions for all disputes," he added.
The new sultan further promised to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor and "remain guided by his wisdom into the future, and preserve … the achievements he made."
Sultan Qaboos, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, died Friday aged 79.
“With great sorrow and deep sadness... the royal court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who passed away on Friday,” said a statement from the royal court.
Muscat announced three days of national mourning after the Sultan’s death.
Sultan Qaboos was unmarried, had no children and had not appointed a successor.
The Omani Constitution requires the royal family to choose a new sultan within three days of the throne falling vacant. Should that fail, a letter written by Sultan Qaboos will be opened before military and government officials revealing his choice for a successor.
Sultan Qaboos had been ill for some time and was believed to have been suffering from colon cancer.
Last month, he returned home after undergoing medical checks and treatment in Belgium.
The sultan rose to power in the former British protectorate in a 1970 coup that was assisted by London.
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