Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who died late on Friday, transformed Oman during his 49-...
DUBAI - Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who died late on Friday, transformed Oman during his 49-year reign from a poverty-stricken country torn by dissent into a prosperous state and an internationally trusted mediator for some of the region’s thorniest issues.
It did not disclose the cause of death. Qaboos, 79, had been ailing for years and was in Belgium in December for treatment. Qaboos healed old rifts in a country long divided between a conservative tribal interior and seafaring coastal region. He became known to his countrymen as “the renaissance”, investing billions of dollars of oil revenues in infrastructure and building one of the best-trained armed forces in the region.
The white-bearded Qaboos made his last public appearance in October 2018 when he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a rare visit to Oman. While other Gulf states have made overtures to Israel, none of their leaders have openly met with Netanyahu.Qaboos, the eighth ruler of the al-Said dynasty that governed Oman since 1744, was born on Nov. 18, 1940 in Dhofar.
When oil exports began in 1967, Sultan Said, accustomed to tight financial constraints, was reluctant to use the revenue for development. He fought Dhofar rebels with help from Britain, Jordan and Iran. Through military advances and by offering rebel leaders state jobs, Qaboos ended the revolt within six years of taking office.
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 Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said has died – state mediaOman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, who ruled the country for nearly half a century, has died at the age of 79 with no known successor for his throne
Read more »
Oman's Sultan Qaboos dies: state mediaOman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media said earl...
Read more »
Oman's Sultan Qaboos dies at 79, state media saysOman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media said early on Saturday.
Read more »
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 »
Oman's Sultan Qaboos dies: state mediaOman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media said earl...
Read more »
Oman's Sultan Qaboos dies at 79, state media saysOman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media said early on Saturday.
Read more »