Oman: Haitham faces economic challenges after succeeding Qaboos

Sultan succession: The death of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said was announced on 10 January. While predicted for some time, his death still came as a profound shock to the nation he had not only ruled but profoundly shaped since 1970, and whose political life he had dominated as an absolute ruler. Qaboos had been suffering from cancer for many years and had received extensive treatment in Europe.