THE LEGACY CONTINUES ’s beloved His Majesty Qaboos has passed away. His Majesty Sultan Haitham has said that the late ruler’s legacy will live on

His Majesty Sultan His Majesty Sultan bin Taimour al Said

Muscat - The Defence Council on Saturday the person that he had recommended. Minister of the Royal Office and Acting Commander of the uDr Khalifa bin Mohammed al Hadhrami, issued a statement reading as follows: ‘This is in accordance with the provision of Chairman of the Defence Council uMaj Gen Khalifa bin Abdullah al Junaibi, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court ‘The Defence Council would like to bring to Article 6 of the Basic Law of the State and to un- uLt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi, Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman ‘The Defence Council was honoured to have the attention of citizens that, in pursuance of dertake measures to induct the person recom- Inspector General of Police and Customs members of the Royal Family as witnesses to the first statement, it called the Royal mended by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in uLt Gen Said bin Ali al Hilali, Head of the The session was also attended by: the procedure. The Defence Council was also Family Council to convene to determine who cooperation with the Royal Family Council, Internal Security Service uDr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Manthri, Chairman honoured to open the will, to read it out directly will assume power. whose gesture reflects its gratitude and appre- uLt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of of the State Council to the audience and to declare His Majesty ‘The Defence Council received today (Satur- ciation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ well- Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces uKhalid bin Hilal al Ma’awali, Chairman of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimour al Said as day, the 15th of Jumada al Ula 1441 AH, January known wisdom and farsighted vision.’ uMaj Gen Mattar bin Salim al Balushi, Majlis A’Shura the Sultan of Oman. May the Almighty Allah 11, 2020) a reply from the Royal Family Council A ‘will-opening’ session was held on Commander of the uSheikh Dr Is’haq bin Ahmed al Busaidi, protect Oman and His Majesty the Sultan.’ in which it reported that it convened and de- Saturday, the 15th of Jumada al Ula 1441 AH, uAir Vice Marshal Mattar bin Ali al Obaidani, Chairman of the Supreme Court ONA cided to assign the Defence Council to open the January 11, 2020, in the presence of: Commander of the of Oman uDr Saleh bin Hamad al Rashdi, Deputy See also pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 25, 37, 49, 50, 52, will of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and instate uGen Sultan bin Mohammed al Nu’amani, uRear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis al Ra’eesi, Chairman of the Supreme Court 53, 54 and 55

d f c SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 @muscat_daily @muscatdaily @muscatdailyonline @ Daily

AN APEX MEDIA PUBLICATION 02 MUSCAT DAILY SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020 The Legacy Continues His Majesty Sultan Haitham sworn in

Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq We will build our relations with all world coun- bin Taimour was sworn in on Saturday, the 15th tries on the basis of the great heritage left be- of Jumada al Ula 1441, January 11, 2020, at a hind for us by the late Sultan, God bless him, a joint session of the and the De- heritage whose essence is based on commit- fence Council in implementation of the provision ment to relations of friendship and cooperation of Article 7 of the Basic Law of the State. with all and respect for charters, laws and agree- ments signed with other countries and organi- Upon His Majesty the Sultan’s arrival, he sations.” performed the oath reading as follows: “I swear in the name of the Almighty Allah to Dear Citizens: respect the Basic Law of the State and the laws, “Our country could not have achieved all this if to fully protect the interests of citizens and their it had not been for the charismatic leadership of liberties and safeguard the independence of the the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour, as nation and the safety of its territories.” well as the solid principles on which he had set up the edifice of the modern state. It would not Then, His Majesty the Sultan gave a speech, have been realised without your rallying around reading as follows: his leadership, your pride over what we have all “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most achieved under his judicious leadership. Merciful, In the name of the Praiseworthy Allah, “It would not have been without established the Wise, Venerated One, the One Hallowed security, well-deployed across the terrain of this equally in contentment and distress; Glory Be to country. It would not have been realised without Him Whose judgment cannot be revoked; the the existence of modern Armed Forces that are One Who conducts all affairs with no interces- fully mobilised and highly qualified in all its sor acting beyond His will; to Him we resort in branches and sectors. It would not have been praise, foremost and finally - peace and bless- realised without the existence of security serv- ings be upon His prophets, His messengers and ices that secured the stability of this country and their faithful disciples.” gained the respect of citizens. We appreciate the role of all in safeguarding the gains of the As for now: sultanate and reiterate our support to them all “The will of the Almighty Allah on His beings is and our pride over their role.” inevitable and to Him we shall all return. It was the Almighty Allah’s will that we have lost the People of Oman: best of men, the forgiven one, God willing, “The trust thrust on our shoulders and the re- Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour; a man who sultant immense responsibilities require us all cannot be served right by such a speech, as no to work together for the sake of our country’s words can calculate what he had achieved and magnificence, with a persistent resolve to pro- accomplished. mote it to the loftiest levels. This cannot be re- “He set up a modern state from scratch, a alised without your support and cooperation country that is now recognised by all, far and (Photos: Mohammed Mustafa) and combination of all efforts to achieve the de- near. He established a deeply rooted renais- sired supreme national goal. Your contribution sance whose features have crystallised in a to enrich all efforts of progress, development schema of laws and legislations that fortify this midst of Gardens and Rivers, in an Assembly of nent place in which His Majesty Sultan “We will continue contact with our brethren, and prosperity will be highly appreciated. country and channel the progress of its march Truth in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipo- Qaboos wished to position it and for which he leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), “May the Almighty Allah protect you in His towards the blossoming future that he wished. tent’ and may Allah grant Oman all causes of stayed on vigils to realise that goal, and he was to enhance our countries’ march of collabora- divine care and may He grant His mercy and for- “He set up an infrastructure that has become dignity, progress and power.” granted success in his endeavours. tion to realise our peoples’ aspirations and to giveness to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin the centre of attraction of the world. He estab- “In the foreign front, we shall trace the course push the GCC forward. Taimour and reward him plentifully. May Allah lished an economic and social structure founded Dear People of Oman: of the late Sultan, reaffirming the fundamentals “In the Arab front, we will continue to support grant us success in pursuing his course and ac- on grounds of justice, sustainable development, “Words fall short of articulating a eulogy for a of our country’s foreign policy based on peaceful the Arab League and cooperate with our complishing the objectives that he wished to be productivity and diversification of the income. Sultan as great as him (Qaboos bin Said), or de- co-existence with nations, good neighbourli- brethren, leaders of Arab states, to achieve the realised for this great nation.” The outcome of this is a steady rise in living scribe his good deeds and accomplishments. ness, non-interference in the internal affairs of goals of the Arab League, promote our citizens’ After that, His Majesty Sultan Haitham re- standards of Omani citizens. He built sturdy and Our only relief - the best with which we can others, respect for countries’ sovereignty and in- lives, distance this region from conflicts and ceived the best wishes of Royal Family mem- constant frameworks for education - at all its eternalise his achievements - is to pursue his ternational cooperation in various spheres. We work for economic integration that will serve our bers, ministers, advisors, military leaders and levels - and specialisations that are tapped by rightful legacy and derive impetus for the bril- will remain as the world had known us during Arab people. honourable members of the State Council and generations of citizens who relished knowledge liant steps that he treaded in full confidence and the reign of the Forgiven one, God willing, His “Oman will maintain its role as an active members of the Majlis A’Shura on the occasion and expertise. determination, to preserve the gains that he Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour. member of the United Nations Organization, a of his induction as Sultan of Oman. “May Allah, the Almighty, reward him as fully made and to build upon them. We will call and contribute to resolving disputes member that respects the UN Charter and The Royal Anthem was played while the as a truthful Sultan can be recompensed for “This is what we are resolved to execute, God by peaceful means, sparing no effort in finding works with member states towards achieving artillery fired a 21-gun salute to His Majesty the serving his country and his nation. May Allah willing. We shall march forward on this road so satisfactory solutions in a spirit of harmony and international peace and security, as well as eco- Sultan. place him in the company of the righteous ‘in the that Oman could attain and maintain its promi- understanding. nomic prosperity for all countries of the world. ONA The Legacy Continues SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 03

(Photos: Mohammed Mustafa) 04 MUSCAT DAILY SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020 Salute to Qaboos

Tears as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said laid to rest

Our Correspondent Hamad al Khalili at Grand Mosque, the remains of Muscat His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was taken in a military vehicle to the Royal Cemetery in Ghala. With tears in their eyes and prayers on their lips The final prayer at the mosque was attended by people of all ages on Saturday bid adieu to His His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimour Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who passed away al Said who was declared as the Sultan of Oman as on Friday leaving the whole country in mourning. per the will of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the father of modern The body was then taken to the burial place by Oman, was laid to rest at the Royal Cemetery in the family members and ministers led by His Ghala in a simple ceremony. While thousands lined Majesty Sultan Haitham. up on the roads from Bait al Baraka to the Sultan The funeral was attended by ministers, advisors, Qaboos Grand Mosque to say a final goodbye to His military commanders, honourable members of the Majesty Sultan Qaboos, others were glued to tele- State Council and members of Majlis A’Shura and visions to watch the burial procession. senior state officials, civilians, sheikhs, dignitaries After a prayer led by the Grand Mufti Ahmed bin and citizens.

Diwan of Royal Court issues obituary

Muscat - The Diwan of Royal Court issued an obituary on march, abundant with bounty that prevailed all over Oman, Saturday reading as follows: ‘To the righteous soul will be said, from corner to corner, and even spread over to the , O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back Islamic nation and the rest of the world. This renaissance re- thou to thy Lord - well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto sulted in a balanced foreign policy that was saluted with solemn Him! Enter thou, then, among My devotees! Yea, enter thou My respect by the whole world.” Heaven! (Holy Q’uran, Surt al Fajr)’. On this occasion, the Diwan of Royal Court has announced “To the people of the beloved homeland in all its districts, to a state of mourning and the halt of official work in the public the Arab and Islamic nations and to the world at large. and private sectors for three days and the flying of flags at half- “It is with hearts filled with faith in Allah and his Providence, mast over the forthcoming 40 days. The Diwan of Royal Court and with great sorrow and deep sadness - yet with complete prays to the Almighty Allah to recompense His Majesty Sultan satisfaction and absolute submission to the will of the Almighty Qaboos fully for his good deeds, to have mercy on his soul Allah, that the Diwan of Royal Court mourns His Majesty Sultan and to rest it in peace in paradise along with martyrs and the Qaboos bin Said, who passed away on Friday, the 14th of Jumada faithful. May the Almighty Allah grant us patience to bear this al Ula, January 10, 2020, after establishing a comprehensive immense loss. ‘Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we renaissance over the past 50 years since he assumed power on shall return.’ , 1970, and after leading a prudent and triumphant ONA Salute to Qaboos SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 05 His Majesty Sultan Haitham to receive mourners from today Muscat - The Diwan of Royal Court on Saturday starting from Sunday 16th of Jumada al Ula, issued a statement, which reads as follows: ‘The January 12, 2020, from 9am to 12pm and 4-5.30pm. Diwan of Royal Court would like to inform that His ‘May the Almighty Allah rest the deceased soul Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimour al in mercy and forgiveness, and reward His Majesty Said and the ruling family will receive mourners in the hereafter for the achievements and sacrifices on the death of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin for the sake of Oman and its people.’ Taimour at Al Alam Palace for the next three days, ONA

(Mohammed Mustafa/ONA) Salute to Qaboos SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 13 Omani citizen, the cornerstone of His Majesty the Sultan’s vision

(Supplied photos)

Muscat - In the 49 years of the Blessed Renais- more capable it becomes of achieving targeted tunities for our sons and daughters. This theme and urged them to work diligently, inspired by decent living standards and security. sance, the Omani citizen has been the corner- development. occurs in almost every one of the speeches we consciousness of their responsibilities and “The forthcoming stage will witness, with stone of the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos “Thus, we always call for the development of address to you, and through you to all the people duties. God’s will, even greater focus on providing more bin Said. human resources, their scientific capabilities, of Oman. It is not surprising that this should be His Majesty Sultan Qaboos pointed out that opportunities for youth to enable them to ex- In all stages of the sultanate’s long-term de- technical skills and technological expertise in so, because human beings are the cornerstone the next phase in Oman’s development would pand their knowledge,” he said. velopment strategy, top priority has been ac- order to meet society’s urgent requirements and of any civilisation and without them no civilisa- be a critical one, which will demand further sac- “Education is the cornerstone of progress and corded to the Omani citizen, regarded as the needs, and to provide opportunities for those re- tion can develop or continue to survive. rifices from all citizens. development, and in order to produce a respon- nation’s most precious resource in the drive to- sources to fully contribute to the Blessed Ren- “We should therefore like to re-emphasise His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ speech also sible, aware generation endowed with expertise, wards achieving sustainable development. aissance witnessed by Oman in all walks of life.” this point, which is such an important factor in touched on the consultation (Shura) process in skills and aspirations, towards a higher level of In his address before the Council of Oman in Before the opening of the annual session of the development and modernisation of society.” Oman. knowledge, a comprehensive assessment of the 2002, he said, “We have always affirmed, on the Council of Oman in 2006, His Majesty In his speech at the opening of the Council of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos confirmed his in- country’s educational progress needs to be car- various occasions, that human being is the ulti- Sultan Qaboos had said, “You are aware of the Oman (Majlis Oman’s) fifth term at Hisn al Shu- tention to give top priority to the development ried out in order to ensure that those aspirations mate goal of the development process, and its importance we attach to the development of moukh in Manah, Dakhliyah on October 31, of human resources and reiterated his belief that become realities and enable people to benefit instrument and means at the same time. human resources and to creating more and bet- 2011, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos expressed people are the cornerstone of any development from the available job opportunities in the public “The more effective this instrument is, the ter education, training and employment oppor- total confidence in his countrymen and women process designed to promote human happiness, and private sectors.” Salute to Qaboos sunday, january 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 25 Tributes pour in for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos

Our Correspondent but I chose to stay here.” erated as soon as His Majesty the Muscat Kanak Khimji, director at Khimji Sultan took over. He shall always be Ramdas, said, "The demise of His missed and this is a very sad day for all Oman woke up on Saturday morning to Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said marks of us.” the heartbreaking news of the demise a sad juncture in Oman’s glorious era. Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman of its ruler His Majesty Sultan Qaboos He was a visionary leader, a statesman and managing director, Aster DM, bin Said. par excellence and a true son of the soil Healthcare, said, “We are deeply sad- During his tenure of 50 years, His who lovingly built our nation. We ask dened by the demise of His Majesty Majesty Sultan Qaboos was one of the Almighty to grant us strength in this Sultan Qaboos bin Said. A real vision- most beloved rulers in the region. difficult time and enable us to follow in ary leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Known for his just reign as well as his footsteps towards achieving his was responsible for the transformation socio-economic developments in the plans for our beloved nation. May Allah of Oman into one of the leading coun- country, he also facilitated harmony shower mercy on his soul and grant tries in the and a very among conflicting sides. him Jannatul Firdaus.” prominent member of the GCC. The People from all walks of life ex- The social media pages of people in longest reigning Arab leader, he was pressed their grief in personal meet- the country are flooded with images, the darling of the masses for five ings, on social media and other videos and GIFs of the ruler. People ex- decades and lifted the living conditions platforms remembering his peace-lov- pressed their condolences and memo- of millions of Omanis. ing role and long-standing vision for his ries on their Facebook pages, “He was not only responsible for country. Instagram stories and WhatsApp sta- modernising the country but has also Anselm Perera, a Sri Lankan expatri- tus. Many have also shared their per- transformed the sultanate’s healthcare ate and an ex-banker living in Oman for sonal stories including glimpses of His and education sectors. He was also a the last 45 years, said, “This is indeed Majesty the Sultan during his visits in very astute statesman, respected all a very emotional day for all of us. I have palaces and parades. One user by the over the world.” been in the country for over four name bader_muscat said, “May Allah A resident of Muscat, Saada al Naa- decades since 1975 and my daughter Almighty give our beloved leader eter- mani, said, “I can’t believe that our was the first expatriate to be born in the nal peace. You will be missed.” leader who was equivalent to our father, hospital. I am the longest serv- Most of the users changed their mentor and guide is no more with us. I ing Sri Lankan in Oman and thus closely WhatsApp status to either quotes by am saddened and in a state of severe attached to the country. When I HM, images of his younger days, meet- grief. I pray for his soul to be in eternal reached Oman, there were hardly any ings with diplomats or videos of him. peace. hospitals, roads or schools but in a Balakrishana M, a businessman who “Over the decades, His Majesty short span, our beloved His Majesty runs restaurants and has been in Mus- Sultan Qaboos single-handedly took the Sultan made developments in every cat for over 40 years, said, “When I control of the country and developed sector including education, health and came to Oman, I saw people still walk- every sector from health, education to infrastructure. ing to Muttrah from as far as . roads. This is a big loss but I am confident “He has been a role model for both They used to take almost a day to com- our new ruler will work hard to take for- locals and expatriates. I had a choice to mute. There were hardly any hotels or ward the eternal legacy that His Majesty go back to either Canada or Sri Lanka hospitals but the developments accel- Sultan Qaboos created for all of us.” Salute to Qaboos SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 37 GCC countries mourn death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Our Correspondent Muscat

Leaders of the GCC countries have mourned the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and declared three days of mourning. Sheikh , Emir of , in a statement by the Amiri Diwan, said that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was a great leader characterised by wisdom, moderation, and long-term vision. He added that the late sul- tan dedicated his life to serve his country and his ‘Ummah’, calling for dialogue and rejecting vio- lence and extremism. He also ordered three days of mourning in Qatar. In , all government institutions will be shut and their flag will fly at half-mast for three days, according to a government statement read by Anas al Saleh, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. Saleh eulogised His Majesty Sultan Qaboos as a great, kind and sagacious leader who had played a key role in making enormous achieve- ments in his country, which played a pivotal role in maintaining the unity of the GCC states. The Kuwaiti government, he added, recalled with deep admiration the brave stance of the sultanate rejecting the blatant aggression by the defunct Iraqi regime against the State of Kuwait. In the UAE too, the leaders mourned the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan ordered a funeral prayer in absentia for the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos across all the UAE In , His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ death dom, said, “HM the King paid homage to late mourning period, during which the flag of Prince expressed their sorrow over the death of mosques after Maghrib prayers on Saturday. was mourned by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin His Majesty Sultan Qaboos who spent a life full the country over its embassies, government His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, state news agency The UAE has also declared three days of Isa al Khalifa and the island nation’s Royal Court. of achievements in serving his people as well as buildings and diplomatic missions will fly at half- SPA said on Saturday. The Kingdom’s Royals mourning and flags to be flown half mast, ac- A statement issued by the Bahrain News the Arab and Islamic nations.” mast. said, “Saudis share the sorrows of the Sultanate cording to the official news agency WAM. Agency, the state-run news agency of the king- Bahrain has also announced a three-day In , King Salman and the Crown of Oman and its people.” SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 49

This file photo shows His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in Muscat on November 25, 2010 (AFP) World mourns Our Correspondent and prayers are with the ’. Muscat Former US president George W Bush also remembered the Late Sultan as a ‘stable World leaders on Saturday mourned the de- force in the Middle East and a strong US mise of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, ally’. the founder of modern Oman, who passed ‘Laura and I are saddened by the death of away in Muscat on Friday. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, The world’s one of the tallest leaders, the the Sultan of Oman. He was a stable force Late Sultan made his country a vital media- in the Middle East and a strong U.S. Ally’, he tor through non-partisan approach - one of said in a statement. the greatest achievements being a success- ‘His Majesty had a vision for a modern, ful mediation between the regional power prosperous, and peaceful Oman, and he Iran and the western world. willed that vision into reality’. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad The former US president and his wife Javad Zarif on Saturday said the death of the Laura Bush were on a three day visit to Late Sultan Qaboos was a ‘loss for the re- Oman from October 27 last year. gion’ and expressed hopes that relations be- In his condolence statement, Bush wrote, tween the two nations will grow under his ‘Laura and I are fortunate to have visited him successor, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin in Muscat last fall. We enjoyed his grand Tariq bin Taimour al Said. hospitality, and we saw how his able leader- ‘We offer our dear neighbour Oman our ship improved education, healthcare, and condolences... (and) we congratulate it for the arts throughout the beautiful country of its selection of His Majesty Haitham bin Oman. We send our sincere condolences to Tariq as sultan, hoping our relations grow as the Omani people on this mournful day’. With the then US President Bill Clinton in Muscat on March 25, 2000 With S Africa’s the then President on April 6, 1999 (AFP) they have before and that the future draws Indian Prime Minister , inspiration from the past’, Zarif tweeted in who was among the first global leaders to . condole the death of the stalwart, called the ‘I had the pleasure of meeting His Late Sultan a ‘true friend of ’. Majesty Sultan Qaboos and was struck by ‘Sultan Qaboos was a true friend of India his commitment to peace and understand- and provided strong leadership for develop- ing between nations and between faiths’, ing a vibrant strategic partnership between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, India and Oman. I will always cherish the while extending his condolences to the peo- warmth and affection I received from him. ple of Oman, following the demise of His May his soul rest in peace’, Modi said. Majesty Sultan Qaboos. Calling him a ‘beacon of peace for our re- ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the gion and the world’, Modi, tweeted, ‘I am death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said deeply saddened to learn about the passing al Said, Sultan of Oman’, said Johnson. ‘He away of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was an exceptionally wise and respected al Said. He was a visionary leader and leader who will be missed enormously. He statesman who transformed Oman into a will be remembered for his devotion to the modern and prosperous nation’. development of Oman into a stable and Prime Minister Imran Khan also prosperous nation, and as the father of the extended ‘deepest condolences to people of nation who sought to improve the lives of Oman’ on the demise of His Majesty Sultan the Omani people.’ Qaboos. ‘He was a visionary & transformed ‘He leaves a profound legacy, not only in Oman into a vibrant, modern state.Oman Oman but across the region too’, added has lost a beloved leader & Pakistan a close, Johnson. ‘The UK is a proud friend and en- trusted friend.May his soul rest in eternal during partner of Oman, and our thoughts peace’, Khan tweeted. With the then US Vice President in Muscat on March 19, 2008 (AFP) Oman, relations got a boost under HM

Sultan Qaboos bin Said with the then President of Egypt in Nueiba, Egypt on April 25, 1985. Oman was one of the only three Arab nations that maintained close ties with Egypt after it signed a peace treaty with Israel (AFP)

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has condoled the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said 52 MUSCAT DAILY SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 World leaders pay tributes ‘His Majesty’s vision steered a foreign policy that placed Oman among the EU’s closest partners’ Canada’s Trudeau hails Sultan’s efforts

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement on the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said: ‘Canada offers its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condo- lences to the people of Oman and the royal family at the news of Sultan Qaboos’s passing’. ‘Having been in power since 1970, Sultan Qaboos was the longest serving leader in the Arab world. We recognise his ef- hensive Plan of Action between forts to modernise Oman, includ- Iran as well as the permanent ing the building of extensive members of the UN Security infrastructure and the establish- Council (China, , Russia, ment of the , the na- the , and the tional currency of Oman. We United States) and ’. also acknowledge his steadfast ‘The Sultan’s work will con- role as a mediator in the region, tinue to be felt both at home in including his efforts to success- Oman as well as through the fully conclude the Joint Compre- wider region’.

Flags on royal and government buildings were flown at half-mast in United Kingdom to mourn the death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said (ONA)

Vision and pragmatism: EU A joint European Commission- European Union statement praised Qaboos’s ‘sense of prag- matism and his unparallelled savoir-faire’. Under his leadership, ‘Oman embarked on an unprecedented II of on Twitter. era of reforms that improved the Great wisdom: He paid tribute to Qaboos’s living standards for the Omani His Majesty role in ‘defending Arab and Is- people’, the statement said. Sultan Qa- lamic causes’. ‘His vision steered a foreign boos bin Said policy that placed Oman among led Oman ‘on Pioneer: Egypt the European Union’s closest a path of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin partners, in a region mired progress and Said was ‘a constant supporter of in conflict and gripped by ten- a d v a n c e - Arab and Islamic issues in vari- sions’. ment and ous situations, and the pioneer of m a n a g e d Oman’s renaissance’, wrote Moderation and with great wisdom and sophisti- Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el wisdom: cation to create a distinguished Sisi. H i s place for the country among M a j e s t y Arab states’ said Syria’s Presi- Wisdom and S u l t a n dent Bashar Assad. balance: Abbas Haitham Oman is the only Gulf Coop- ‘Our Arab and Islamic nation lost bin Tariq eration Council member state to today, a leader and leader of its b i n have maintained diplomatic rela- finest men’, said Palestinian Taimour al tions with Damascus since the President Mahmud Abbas. Said has start of the war. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos received a Qaboos ‘devoted his life to serv- cable of condolences from Pres- A wise leader: Jordan ing his country and people and ident Barham Saleh of the Re- ‘We have lost a wise leader in the issues of the Arab and Is- public of Iraq on the death of the my brother His Majesty Sultan lamic nations with wisdom and Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Qaboos bin Said of Oman’, said balance’, he added. Bin Said. a statement from King Abdullah With AFP inputs In his cable, the Iraqi President expressed his heartfelt condo- lences over the great loss. He hailed the leadership of Sultan ‘An important figure’ Qaboos bin Said who succeeded in establishing a modern state of which Omanis are proud of. Sul- tan Qaboos has managed to place the Sultanate in wise, bal- anced, and moderate position during various stages of conflicts, wars and divisions that prevailed over the region.

Man of dialogue: ‘With the loss of Sultan Qaboos, the Arab world loses a man of di- alogue, wisdom and peace’, Lebanon’s President wrote on Twitter, paying tribute to ‘a brother and a friend His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with Turkish Prime Minister to Lebanon’. Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Muscat on September 27, 2005 (AFP) Qaboos ‘always worked to- wards Arab unity and the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos an important figure in the pol- strengthening of (Arab) solidar- Bin Said ‘made great efforts itics of the region’, Turkey’s ity - in the face of the challenges for the welfare and develop- President Recep Tayyip Erdo- that threaten our countries and ment of Oman as well as being gan tweeted. peoples’. ‘Earned the A good friend: Germany Continued from Page 52 the Middle East and Gulf region. respect of Sultan Qaboos’s death meant His word was widely heeded’. ‘the loss of a good friend for Ger- The German Embassy in the world’ many’, a statement from Presi- Oman in a tweet said, ‘We are dent Frank-Walter Steinmeier deeply saddened by the death of said. ‘Sultan Qaboos was a re- His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. Our sponsible actor for mutual un- deepest condolences go to the derstanding and compromise in family and people of Oman’.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimour al Said has re- ceived a cable of condolences from Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of on the death of Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. In his cable, Abe expressed his deep sadness and sincere con- dolences and sympathy to His Majesty, the Government and the Omani people. He affirmed that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has managed, since tak- ing over reins of power, to build up a nation that combines be- tween preserving customs, tradi- tions and modernity. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has contributed in achieving a sustainable devel- opment for the Sultanate. He has also remarkably contributed in realising peace and stability in the Middle East, and he was a leader who earned respect of the whole world. “The death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who was a great leader enjoying wisdom and far-sighted vision, represents a great loss not only for the Omani people, but also for the whole international community. I would like to ex- press solidarity of Japan with the Omani people to overcome these very sad moments,” the Japanese leader added. ONA 54­­­­­­MUSCAT­DAILY­­­­­sUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 The­great­leader­who­shielded Oman­from­the­Middle­East­turmoil

Muscat, Oman - Oman’s Sultan Qaboos, who died on Friday aged 79, transformed the former Ara- bian Peninsula backwater into a modern state and sought-after mediator while shielding the sul- tanate from a region in turmoil. The intensely private sultan - the longest-reigning ruler in the modern Arab world - left no ap- parent heir and the royal family was charged with selecting a successor. Instead however they opted for the Sultan’s own choice, his cousin Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimour al Said, who was named in a sealed letter that Qaboos had prepared in case of a dead- lock. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was born on November 18, 1940, into the centuries-old Al-Said dy- nasty in the southern provincial capital of Salalah, in an isolated country on the margins of the modern world. Older Omanis recall the capi- tal Muscat had no electricity or running water and the gates of the medieval city were locked at dusk. The young Qaboos was sent abroad for his education to Britain, attending the elite Sand- hurst Royal Military Academy from where he graduated in 1962. He went on to join a British in- fantry battalion in Germany, re- turning home to bide his time under the close watch of his fa- ther, Sultan Said bin Taymur. On July 23, 1970, young Qa-

Muscat served as the back channel for talks between the US and Iran in the lead-up to the 2015 nuclear deal

This file photo shows Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (right) welcoming His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said at the start of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit meeting in Riyadh on December 19, 2011 (AFP) boos took charge of the country pledging ‘a new era’. Young Sultan Qaboos on his An undated file photo Guardian of the Strait father’s lap in Oman (AFP) taken in the mid-1900s Oman is strategically located on shows Sultan Qaboos the Strait of Hormuz - the narrow bin Said in Salalah (AFP) seaway through which much of the world’s oil supply passes - and between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Late Sultan maintained good ties with both nations, a balancing act that made his cap- ital a must-stop for Western and Arab diplomats as well as mili- tary chiefs alike. His Majesty Sultan’s first for- eign trip was to Iran, whose shah - along with the British - helped him quell the Marxist insurgency in the restive Dhofar region. Those ties endured through Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution. Muscat would serve as the back channel for talks between the United States and Iran in the lead-up to a landmark 2015 nu- clear deal. The Late Qaboos also worked to preserve ties with Saudi Ara- bia and the rest of the wealthy six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to which Oman belongs, but stuck to his principle of non- interference. In 2015, Oman was the only GCC country not to join a Saudi- led military coalition against Iran- backed Shiite Huthi rebels in . It leveraged this neutral- ity to mediate the release of mul- tiple foreign hostages captured by Yemen’s warring factions. Muscat also maintained close peace treaty with Israel, opening an unknown and spent his first village to village and he had a lyst Ahmed al Mukhaini. mary schools and some eight also commissioned an opera military and economic ties with a trade office in Tel Aviv in the years cultivating the respect of weekly radio address - that was Qaboos channelled revenues kilometres of paved roads to a house for Muscat, its packed cal- Britain and the US. mid-1990s - shuttered in 2000 his countrymen, from the moun- the only way to reach the entire from fledgling oil exports into in- modern state with well over endar a testament to his support Unlike other Arab states, Qa- during a Palestinian uprising. tainous interior to the coast. population at the time,” said frastructure, taking the country 1,000 schools and a massive for the arts. boos did not contest Egypt’s 1979 The Sultan assumed power as “In the early years, he went Muscat-based public policy ana- from having just a handful of pri- highway network. The Sultan AFP SUNDAY, jANUArY 12, 2020 MUSCAT DAILY 55

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh on December 19, 2011 (AFP) The greaT mediaTor As the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East, the Late Sultan Qaboos earned enormous respect for his ability to bring rivals to negotiating tables

With the then French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Muscat on February 10, 2009 (AFP)

With Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Muscat on January 6, 2001 (AFP)

With Iran’s Foreign Minister in Muscat

With Israeli Prime Minister in Muscat on October 26, 2018 (AFP) With Queen Beatrix of the in Muscat on January 10, 2012 (AFP)