Will opened: Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said succeeds Sultan Qaboos of Oman

Dubai: Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said took the oath before the Council of Oman this morning as the new Sultan of Oman, according to state media.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wished the new ruler well. He tweeted: "Our best wishes for His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the new Ruler of Oman. He was recommended by the late Sultan Qaboos and the people of Oman approved him. Sultan Haitham is known for his wisdom and tolerance. Best Successor for the Best Predecessor. May Allah help you serve your people and lead the second renaissance of Oman."

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE, extended his best wishes to the new sultan in a tweet. He wrote: "Warmest congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on being chosen as the new Ruler of Oman. Our best wishes for him and for the Omani people. We are pressing ahead with further reinforcing our already-strong fraternal relations."

Earlier in the day, Bin Tariq pledged to follow the non-interference foreign policy of the late Sultan Qaboos that made the kingdom an important regional broker.

"We will follow the path of the late sultan," Haitham said in his first public speech after being sworn in as sultan.

He expressed support for "our country's foreign policy of peaceful living among nations and peoples... and not interfering in the internal affairs of others, respecting nations' sovereignty and international cooperation."

Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said was chosen by Sultan Qaboos to succeed him, as the family opened his will this morning following established protocol in Oman.

The inaugration ceremony took place at Al Bustan palace on Saturday morning before the funeral of the late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

The Council of Oman held an emergency session on Saturday morning at its headquarters in Al Bustan.

Moving forward

Haitham Bin Tareq Al Saeed was the minister of heritage and national culture, and the cousin of the late Sultan Qaboos.

Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq on his first speech infront of council confirms "moving forward on the noble approach of Sultan Qaboos in the development and progress of the Sultanate."

"We will follow the path of the late sultan," Haitham, 65, said in his first public speech which was aired live on state television.

He expressed support for "our country's foreign policy of peaceful living among nations and peoples... and not interfering in the internal affairs of others, respecting nations' sovereignty and international cooperation."

This came following the death of Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, who died on Friday evening. State media reported the death early on Saturday, and a three-day period of national mourning was declared.

A three-day holiday was also declared in Oman.

Qaboos had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor. A 1996 statute says the ruling family will choose a successor within three days of the throne becoming vacant.