Oman announces new ruler after death of longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos

Oman announced Saturday culture minister Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the new ruler of the Gulf Arab country, ending speculation over the mystery of who would succeed longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos.

The announcement came as Omanis lined the streets of the capital, Muscat, to catch a glimpse of the motorcade carrying the body of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who died hours earlier at the age of 79.

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

Qaboos, the Middle East’s longest-ruling monarch, seized power in a 1970 palace coup. He was known internationally for his diplomatic balancing in the Persian Gulf. Under his leadership, Oman often served as a facilitator of talks between adversaries, including Iran and the U.S.

The Telegraph reports that Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who ruled Oman for almost half a century and played a key role in secret talks between the US and Iran that led to historic 2015 nuclear deal, has died at the age of 79.