RPT-NEWSMAKER-Oman's new ruler chosen to provide continuity - Reuters:
When Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said named his preferred successor in a sealed envelope, he prioritised continuity by choosing a cousin with extensive foreign policy experience.
Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, confirmed as sultan by the ruling family on Saturday based on the letter opened after Qaboos’ death on Friday aged 79, has been central in charting the Gulf state’s development plan. He enjoys good relations with Arab and Western leaders and has worked in business, according to Oman observers.
He will need mastery of diplomacy and economics to maintain Oman’s independent foreign policy that has balanced ties with Saudi Arabia and Iran, who are vying for regional influence, and to create growth and refill state coffers depleted by lower oil prices.
“I believe the choice will provide continuity to Qaboos’ policies”, one diplomat told Reuters.
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