The Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Saeed Al Saeed, died at the age of 79 on Friday, January 10. According to media reports, the monarch has suffered from cancer in recent years.. Three-day mourning declared in the Sultanate, during which both public institutions and private organizations will not work. Childless monarch did not publicly announce the name of the successor. In accordance with the law, members of the ruling family must name the heir to the throne within three days.

If they fail to come to a consensus, a committee of a number of military officials, representatives of the Supreme Court and the heads of both houses of the Council of Oman will transfer power to the person indicated in the sealed letter of the Sultan. Qaboos bin Saeed Al Saeed was born in November 1940. He studied at the Royal Military Academy in the UK, then served in the British Army infantry. He came to power in a coup in July 1970, overthrowing his own father. Sultan carried out large-scale reforms that significantly changed Oman. However, human rights activists criticized the monarch for the lack of freedom of expression in the country and the detention of those who disagree with the authorities.