Iran Press/Middle East: Local media report the former culture minister has been sworn in before the ruling family council. He is a cousin of Sultan Qaboos.
Oman has named Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the country's new ruler following the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed Al Saeed.
The former culture minister has been sworn in before the ruling family council on Saturday, local media outlets al-Watan and al-Roya reported.
The Omani constitution stipulates that a successor must be named by the royal family within three days of the throne falling vacant. The Sultan must be a member of the royal family as well as "Muslim, mature, rational and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents".
Haitham, a sports enthusiast, also held the position of undersecretary for political affairs at the ministry of foreign affairs, before becoming the minister of heritage and culture in the mid-1990s. He was also the first head of Oman's football federation in the early 80s.
Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Saeed al Saeed passed away late Friday afternoon 10 January 2020, aged 79.
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