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Sultan Qaboos of Oman Dies At 79, His Cousin Haitham Named as Successor

Sultan Qaboos of Oman Dies At 79, His Cousin Haitham Named as Successor
folder_openAsia-Pacific... access_time4 years ago
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By Staff, Agencies

Oman named Haitham bin Tariq al-Said as the country’s new ruler after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said late on Friday.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said died at the age of 79 after around half a century at the helm of the state amid a battle with resurgent colorectal cancer.

The head of state passed away on Friday evening, Reuters reported, citing state media.

Muscat subsequently declared a three-day period of national mourning.

Recently, reports suggested that the sultanate was preparing for an elaborate succession process as Qaboos’ health was not taking any turn for the better.

Qaboos had traveled to Belgium last December to seek medical treatment.

He absented himself from an annual Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia in the same month, giving rise to speculations about his failing constitution.

Sultan Qaboos rose to power in the former British protectorate in a 1970 coup that was assisted by London.

He had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor.

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