Oman’s Sultan Qaboos dies aged 79 Qaboos’s cousing Haitham bin Tariq Al Said named as the country’s new ruler

Oman declares a three-day mourning period for ruler known for promoting peace in the region.

Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Arab world’s longest-ruling monarch , has died, according to an announcement by state media.

“With sadness … the Omani Sultanate court mourns … our Sultan Qaboos bin Said … who God chose to be by his side on Friday evening,” the announcement on Saturday morning said.

It added that 79-year-old Qaboos died after “a wise and triumphant march rich with generosity that embraced Oman and extended to the Arab, Muslim and entire world, and achieved a balanced policy that the whole world respected”.

A three-day period of mourning has been declared in Oman and the country’s flag will be flown at half-mast for 40 days.

Later on Saturday, Oman named Qaboos’s cousing Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the country’s new ruler in a smooth transition.

The former culture minister, 65, was sworn in before the ruling family council on Saturday morning.

State television said authorities had opened a letter by Qaboos naming his successor, without elaborating, before announcing Haitham bin Tariq as the new ruler.