Oman’s Sultan Qaboos dies

SANAA, Jan. 11 (YPA) – Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media said early on Saturday.

The state-run Oman News Agency announced his death on its official Twitter account late on Friday.

Sultan Qaboos was believed to have been in poor health. He travelled to Belgium for what the court described as a medical check-up last month.

The ruling family must choose a successor within three days of the throne becoming vacant.

If they fail to agree, a council will appoint the person whose name was secretly written by the Sultan in a sealed letter.

A three-day period of mourning has been declared in Oman, according to the media.

E.M