Oman has named Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (Pictured) as the country’s new ruler after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said late on Friday, Al Jazeera television reported on Saturday.
Haitham bin Tariq was appointed on Saturday after the high military council called on the ruling family council to convene and choose a successor.
He had served as minister of national heritage and culture and had been appointed in 2013 by Qaboos to chair the main committee responsible for Oman’s development.
He takes power as domestic challenges loom large, from strained state finances to high unemployment in the indebted oil producer, and at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the United States and US ally Saudi Arabia.
He had served as minister of national heritage and culture and had been appointed in 2013 by Qaboos to chair the main committee responsible for Oman’s development.
He takes power as domestic challenges loom large, from strained state finances to high unemployment in the indebted oil producer, and at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the United States and US ally Saudi Arabia.
The late Qaboos
The late beloved Omani leader took power from his father in a bloodless coup in 1979 aided by former colonial rulers, Britain.
Qaboos died yesterday at the age of 79 years.
Yesterday, there was confusion that the Late Sultan had not chosen a successor bringing fears of war in the Middle Eastern country as tanks could be seen late into the night on the streets of Muscat, the country’s capital.
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