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MUSCAT: A handout picture released by the Omani News Agency shows ’s newly sworn-in Haitham bin Tariq receiving Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in the capital yesterday. Tariq received world leaders and officials who presented their condolences after the death of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, on January 10, at the age of 79. —AFP Photos World leaders in Oman to mourn Sultan’s death Ceremony at Alam Palace draws figures from across political divides in Mideast

MUSCAT: Britain’s Prince Charles and of 79 without an . goes back over 200 years,” it said. assuming power on Saturday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined It was Sultan Qaboos’ policy of “Our countries have deep economic uphold the foreign policy of his regional leaders in Oman yesterday to neutrality and non-interference that ties and shared defence and securi- Western-backed predecessor under offer their condolences to the royal elevated Oman’s standing as a ty interests.” which Muscat balanced ties family after the death of long-reigning “Switzerland of the Middle East” As ruler, Qaboos modernized his between larger neighbors Saudi Sultan Qaboos. A ceremony at and won it respect in the region and country but also forged a broader Arabia and Iran as well as the Muscat’s Alam Palace drew figures beyond. It maintains healthy rela- role as a go-between in regional United States. from across political divides in the tions with the United States as well and international crises. Under his “His challenge going forward will Middle East, including Abu Dhabi’s as with regional powers Iran and reign, Oman refrained from taking be to quickly develop his personal Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin , in what many diplo- sides in the Saudi-led blockade of relationships with foreign partners and Zayed and ’s Emir Sheikh Tamim matic observers see as a model of Qatar as well as a military interven- make clear his likely stance to stay- bin Hamad Al-Thani. balance. tion in led by Saudi Arabia the-course with Oman’s foreign poli- Iranian foreign minister Sultan Qaboos, who ruled for and the . cy,” said Elana DeLozier, a research Mohammad Javad Zarif was among half a century, came to power in The sultan’s death comes amid fellow at The Washington Institute for those who met the new sultan, 1970 when he overthrew his father increased tensions between Tehran Near East Policy think tank. along with Tunisian President Kais in a coup with British support. As a and Washington, following the US Qaboos managed to maintain Saied, His Highness the Amir Sheikh young man, he attended Britain’s killing of a top Iranian commander Oman’s neutrality, not taking sides Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- elite Sandhurst Royal Military in that raised fears the region in the Gulf dispute with Qatar, and Sabah and Yemeni President Academy, after which he joined a was sliding into war. helped to mediate secret US-Iran Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Former British infantry battalion in The late sultan’s standing has talks in 2013 that led to an interna- French leader Nicolas Sarkozy was Germany. been recognized with warm tributes tional nuclear pact two years later also in attendance at the ceremony, British premier Johnson is to from across the world, including which Washington then quit in 2018. which took place a day after the meet with the new sultan and senior from US President Donald Trump Haitham assumes power at a time of new royal ruler Haitham bin Tariq Omani officials during his visit, his who said Qaboos was a “true part- heightened tensions between Iran was selected and sworn in. Haitham office said in a statement. “The UK ner and friend to the United States”. and the United States that could is a cousin of Qaboos, who never and Oman have a broad and long- Oman’s new sultan, Haitham bin destabilize a region vital to global MUSCAT: Tunisian President (left) meeting with Oman’s Sultan Haitham married and died Friday at the age standing bilateral relationship that Tariq Al-Said, promised after oil supplies —Agencies bin Tariq.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (right) receiving Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff MUSCAT: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (right) receiving former French president MUSCAT: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq receiving Britain’s Prince Charles General Nicholas Carter. Nicolas Sarkozy.