Haitham bin Tariq, the culture minister, was sworn n as the new ruler of Oman, shortly after modern Oman’s founding father was laid to rest after his death on Friday at the age of 79, AFP reported.

“We will follow the path of the late sultan,” Haitham, 65, said in his first public speech which was aired live on state television.

He expressed support for “our country’s foreign policy of peaceful living among nations and peoples… and not interfering in the internal affairs of others, respecting nations’ sovereignty and international cooperation.”

Qaboos transformed the Arabian Peninsula nation from a backwater into a modern state with thriving tourism industry, thanks to the country’s crystal waters and scenic mountain ranges.

But it was the sultan’s policy of neutrality and non-interference that elevated Oman’s standing as a “Switzerland of the Middle East” and made him an important go-between.

Qaboos, the longest-serving leader of the modern Arab world, came to power in 1970 when he deposed his father in a palace coup. His death came after a long illness and he was believed to be suffering from colon cancer.

The late sultan, who was unmarried and had no children, left no apparent heir. Under the constitution, new ruler of Oman was to be selected in a meeting of the royal family.

If they could not agree, the person chosen by the sultan and named in a sealed letter was to succeed him. State TV said that the letter had been opened, without elaborating as to why.

“Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new sultan of the country… after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the sultan,” the government said in a tweet.

Many experts had expected the throne to go to Asad bin Tariq, another cousin, who was appointed deputy prime minister for international relations and cooperation affairs in 2017 in what was seen as a clear message of support.

However, analysts said the swift handover boded well for a smooth succession, at a time of heightened regional tensions.

Haitham, a sports enthusiast, was appointed to lead the Heritage and Culture Ministry in the mid-1990s and also serves as head of the committee for Oman’s “Vision 2040”, a roadmap for social and economic reform.

Sultan Qaboos was laid to rest at the royal cemetery on Saturday after his coffin, draped in the Omani flag, was driven through the streets of the capital Muscat.

Thousands of people, including members of the royal family and state officials, were present for prayers at the main mosque which is named after the sultan.

The royal court announced a mourning period that will see businesses and government offices closed for three days.

Many Western and Arab diplomats see the sultanate, with its moderate but active foreign policy that includes healthy relations with the US as well as with regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia, as a model of balance.

The late sultan’s standing was recognized with warm tributes from across the world, including from Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who said in a tweet written in Arabic that his death was a “loss for the region”.

“We offer our dear neighbor Oman our condolences… (and) we congratulate it on naming His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq as sultan, hoping our relations grow as they have before and that the future draws inspiration from the past,” Zarif tweeted.

As the Persian Gulf’s discreet go-between, Oman played a role in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

“He was a stable force in the Middle East and a strong US ally. His Majesty had a vision for a modern, prosperous, and peaceful Oman, and he willed that vision into reality,” former US president George W. Bush said in a message of condolence.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also recalled a meeting with Qaboos where he was “struck by his commitment to peace and understanding between nations and between faiths.”

“He leaves a profound legacy, not only in Oman but across the region too,” Johnson said.

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The former culture minister was sworn in before the ruling family council to be the successor of Sultan Qaboos, on Saturday, local media outlets al-Watan and al-Roya reported.

There was no official confirmation of the reports.

The Omani constitution stipulates that a successor must be named by the royal family within three days of the throne falling vacant. The sultan must be a member of the royal family as well as “Muslim, mature, rational and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents”.

The late Sultan Qaboos, one of the Middle East’s longest-serving rulers who maintained the country’s neutrality in the region, had been ill for some time and was believed to have been suffering from colon cancer.

The 79-year-old ruled Oman since overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup in 1970.

He had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor to rule the nation’s 4.5 million people.

Oman observers had said the sultan’s three cousins – including Haitham bin Tariq Al Said – stood the best chance.

Mahjoob Zweiri, a professor at Qatar University’s Persian Gulf Studies Centre, said to maintain Oman’s status as a “mature state” will be an important task.

“Taking into consideration new challenges including unemployment … the leadership has to take into consideration all those matters,” Zweiri told Al Jazeera.

“In regional matters … the role of Oman played so far is significant. It confirmed the importance of Oman regionally and internationally,” he said. “I think this is likely to continue”.

Zweiri said that Haitham bin Tariq Al Said was “very close” to the decision making process and has been aware of what is involved when it came to mediation efforts in the region.

“I don’t expect really any major shift in all of that,” he said.

“I think Oman will continue to play that positive role with cooling down a lot of conflicts because they seek stability and security for the region.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – The Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al-Said, passed away early on Saturday, Oman state TV and the state news agency Twitter account said.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Oman’s 79-year-old ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said is in “stable condition” and is following a doctor-prescribed medical treatment, the nation’s royal court announced Tuesday, amid days of worried speculation about his health.

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