Sultan has left choice of successor in sealed letter should royal family be unable to decide
This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy.In this Jan. 14, 2019 file photo, Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman sits during a meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Beit Al Baraka Royal Palace in Muscat, Oman. The Sultan died late on Friday at the age of 79.
Analysts worry about royal family discord, and a resurgence of tribal rivalries and political instability, now a new ruler has to be chosen at a time when young hawks have assumed power in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Oman helped to mediate secret U.S.-Iran talks in 2013 that led to an historic international nuclear pact two years later.The white-bearded Qaboos made his last public appearance in October 2018 when he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a rare visit to Oman. While other Gulf states have made overtures to Israel, none of their leaders have openly met with Netanyahu.Qaboos, the eighth ruler of the al-Said dynasty that governed Oman since 1744, was born on Nov. 18, 1940 in Dhofar.
When oil exports began in 1967, Sultan Said, accustomed to tight financial constraints, was reluctant to use the revenue for development.Britain, with considerable clout then over Gulf rulers, helped Qaboos overthrow his father in a palace coup on July 23, 1970. Sultan Said was forced to abdicate after some resistance and spent the last two years of his life in exile in England.
Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution directed Qaboos’ attention to the Strait of Hormuz, through which almost a fifth of global oil passes. He pledged to keep the strait open and in 1980 signed a deal to let U.S. forces use Omani facilities for emergencies.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Don’t cave to Beijing’s demands, Taiwanese foreign minister warns CanadaTaiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warned in an interview that seeking to mollify China is risky, and sends the message that hostage diplomacy works
Read more »
Norm Powell cleared to return to Raptors lineup; Siakam and Gasol closeNorm Powell cleared to return to Raptors lineup; Siakam and Gasol close Globe_Sports
Read more »
Winnipeg Jets activate Dmitry Kulikov, put Logan Shaw on waivers - TSN.caThe Winnipeg Jets activated defenceman Dmitry Kulikov off of injured reserve on Thursday, placing forward Logan Shaw on waiver to clear a spot on the 23-man roster.
Read more »
Marni Soupcoff: Hollywood puts criminal profiling under the magnifiying glassThe behavioural tool for identifying criminal suspects is much less clear-cut than we’re often led to believe
Read more »
At least two dead in shooting at elementary school in northern Mexico: authoritiesCoahuila state Gov. Miguel Angel Riquelme said the sixth-grade shooter and his teacher died
Read more »