Oman names culture minister as new sultan; PH mourns passing of Sultan Qaboos

“We thank His Majesty for graciously hosting thousands of Filipinos who work and consider Oman their second home,” it added. (Pixabay file photo)

Following the death of Sultan Qaboos, Oman named Culture Minister Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as its new ruler.

In a Twitter post, the government said the 65-year-old cousin of Qaboos sworn in as the latter’s successor “after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the sultan.”

Qaboos, the longest-ruling Arab leader, died on Friday at the age of 79, according to state-run media Oman News Agency. It did not mention the cause of Qaboos’ death but international media reports said that he had been unwell for years.

In his first speech as the new royal ruler, Tariq vowed to maintain Oman’s foreign policy under Qaboos.

“We will continue to follow in the same course the late Sultan adopted … embracing foreign policies based on peaceful coexistence among peoples and countries without any interference in the domestic affairs of other states,” he said as quoted as saying in a report by Al Jazeera.

“We will continue as always … contributing and calling for peaceful and amicable solutions for all disputes,” he added.

Prior to his position as culture minister, Tariq served as undersecretary of the ministry of foreign affairs for political affairs and later on appointed as its secretary general.

Tariq is a 1979 graduate of the Oxford University Foreign Service Programme and a known sports enthusiast. In the early 1980’s he became the first head of the Oman Football Association.

PH gov’t mourns Qaboos’ passing

Meanwhile, Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed its condolences to the people of Oman, following the demise of their 79-year-old leader.

The Palace described Qaboos as “a man of vision and foresight who transformed his country into a modern and stable nation it is known today.”

“We thank His Majesty for graciously hosting thousands of Filipinos who work and consider Oman their second home,” it added.

https://www.facebook.com/PresSpokespersonPH/photos/a.397841807217544/1061984287469956/?type=3&theater

The DFA, for its part, said, “It is likewise a benevolent host to thousands of Filipinos who have made Oman their second home.”

Oman has declared a three-day period of national mourning for Qaboos.