In historic move, Oman to appoint first-ever crown prince

Oman ruler Haitham bin Tariq issued a royal decree on Monday, January 11, effectively paving the way for the constitution to be amended in order to appoint a crown prince.

It will be the first time ever that Oman will name a crown prince.

The Royal Decree No. 6/2021 promulgates a new Basic Law of the State which will “set up a specific and stable mechanism for the transfer of power in the sultanate,” reported state news channel Oman News Agency.

It will not only establish a mechanism for the appointment of a crown prince, but will also outlines his duties and prerogatives.

It comes a year after Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the former Omani leader and longest reigning monarch in the Arab world died at the age of 79 last January.

Read: Oman’s Sultan Qaboos dies at 79

There was no crown prince named at the moment and Sultan Qaboos had named his desired successor in a sealed envelope.

Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new ruler of Oman, succeeding his cousin Sultan Qaboos, shortly thereafter.

Read: Haitham bin Tariq Al Said sworn in as the new ruler of Oman

Haitham was picked ahead of his brother, Asaad, who was also seen as a potential heir after he was named deputy prime minister in 2017.

The family decided to honor the wishes of Qaboos, who had no known brothers or children, by choosing the successor he designated in the letter.