Omani Sultan Qaboos, Who Ruled Oman For Half A Century, Dies At 79
The long-serving monarch named his successor, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, who was sworn in as sultan Saturday. Under Qaboos, the tiny Middle Eastern state took on an outsize role in regional diplomacy.
For the first time in roughly half a century, Oman is under new direction.
The longest-serving monarch of the Arab world, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, died Friday at the age of 79, ceding the country to his cousin and former culture minister Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. The latter was sworn in as sultan Saturday, assuming the reins of state in a ceremony attended by high-ranking
