Summary: in the 47 years of his rule, Sultan Qaboos has transformed Oman from a backward country to one which is in many ways modern. A further transformation will be needed if Oman is to make the transition to a post-oil economy.
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Two former British ambassadors to Oman, Stuart Laing and Richard Muir, have commented that the arrangements for the succession to Sultan Qaboos are not simply a matter of widespread belief, but are spelt out in the Basic Law. This was the subject of comments from them and a third British ambassador, Robert Alston, in August, and the relevant section of the law was quoted in their comment of 24 August on our posting of 17 August, available on the Arab Digest website.
Stuart adds that the essential feature of the Omani system is that it defines a process rather than (as in places with a Crown Prince) a person. But either system can lead to an orderly transition, which is what is wanted by Omanis and by Oman’s international partners.
Richard adds that the three mentioned as the strongest candidates, As’ad, Haitham and Shihab are Qaboos’s cousins (sons of his uncle Tariq) – not brothers.