Oman's new ruler vows to uphold his predecessor’s foreign policy approach that balanced close relations with the U.S. and Iran. The new ruler, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, was named successor to Sultan Qaboos, whose death was announced Saturday.
In this Nov. 5, 2016, photo, Oman's new sultan, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is seen while welcoming Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Bait Al Noor church in Muscat, Oman. Oman named Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the country's new sultan on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020.
Oman sits on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with Iran to its east. It shares borders with Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In the capital Muscat, soldiers stood guard and troops stood with machine guns atop SUVs as Omanis gathered along a highway to see the motorcade carrying the sultan’s body for burial.
The speed and manner in which his successor was named suggest the Al Said family wanted to project a sense of unity, continuity and stability as tensions run high in the Persian Gulf, particularly between the U.S. and Iran in the last days of Sultan Qaboos’ life. Sultan Haitham is a career diplomat who’d long been tapped as one of the front-runners for succession. His role as minister of national heritage and culture helped project Omani influence. Haitham is a cousin of Qaboos, according to Gulf media reports.
The new sultan is known in international policy circles because of his interactions with world leaders and relations with other royal families, like Britain’s
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oman calls ruling family council to choose new sultan: state TVOman's high military council on Saturday called on the country's rulin...
Read more »
Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman for almost 50 years, has diedThe guest list to his funeral alone will be a tribute to a rare statesman in a troubled region
Read more »
Sultan Qaboos ushered in Oman renaissance, quiet diplomacySultan Qaboos bin Said, who died late on Friday, transformed Oman during his 49-...
Read more »
Oman names culture minister as successor to Sultan QaboosHaitham bin Tariq al Said, Oman's culture minister has been sworn in as the new royal ruler following the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos.
Read more »
Oman names culture minister as successor to Sultan QaboosDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oman announced Saturday that culture minister Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has been named as the new ruler of the Arabian country and the successor to longtime...
Read more »
Sultan Qaboos ushered in Oman renaissance, quiet diplomacySultan Qaboos bin Said, who died late on Friday, transformed Oman during his 49-...
Read more »