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Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, successor of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Image Credit: File

Dubai: Oman's Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said addressed the nation on Sunday, after the end of 40 days of mourning for Sultan Qaboos.

In his televised speech, Sultan Haitham assured the public that the new goverment will work on reducing public debt and fiscal deficit, as well as restructuring the public apparatus and companies, calling on his citizens to "give us your trust".

Internally the goverment will focus on modernizing the education system, science and development. They would be the country's main national priorities.

Haitham, who took power after the late Sultan Qaboos, said his government would continue his predecessor's drive towards peace in the region. "The message of the Sultan is to spread peace around the world, we are aware of the regional challenges that have arisen which will impact us and our surroundings, we are resilient to them."

Sultan Haitham in his speech didn't forget the youth, addressing them, he said, "we will listen and meet their demands" and promised to address the issue of youth unemployment. 

"Youth are our nation's wealth, they are our present and future and we are keen and dedicated to listening to them," he said.

He ended his speech by saying: "We will dedicate our lives for Oman and its citizens; we are calling you to support us and to give us your trust," he said.