Oman: Haitham bin Tariq al-Said named Sultan of Oman January 11 /update 1

Event

Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, formerly the Minister of Heritage and Culture, has been named Sultan of Oman on Saturday, January 11. Sultan Tariq al-Said took his oath on Saturday hours after the announcement of Sultan Qaboos' death at age 79. Three days of national mourning were declared, expected to impact both public and private sectors.

Omani state media indicates that Sultan Qaboos' funeral processions are ongoing as of Saturday morning (local time).

There are reports of ongoing and significant transportation disruptions including road closures, and a heightened security presence.

Context

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said ousted his father in a bloodless coup in 1970, with the support of the British. As the longest-reigning monarch in the Middle East, Sultan Qaboos was Oman's paramount decision-maker holding the positions of prime minister, supreme commander of the armed forces, minister of defence, minister of finance, and minister of foreign affairs. His domestic policies aimed at developing and modernizing the country brought him strong popular support. 

Advice

Individuals in Oman are advised to monitor the situation, respect local customs, and refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media.