Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Passes Away
Oman’s sultan, Qaboos bin Said al-Said, expired on Friday evening, Reuters announced on early Saturday, Oman state television and the state news agency Twitter account changed.
Qaboos, 79, had governed the Gulf Arab state since taking over in 1970 with British help in a bloody coup against his father.
Oman’s ruler had no children and did not designate a predecessor publicly. According to several 1996 statutes, the governing family in the country must elect a successor inside three days.
A mourning period of three days has been proclaimed, and flags are to be flown at half-mast for 40 days, Reuters announced, quoting corporate media.
