John Major congratulated Qaboos, telling him ‘our commitment to Oman is unwavering’
Revelations come a year after Qaboos died, amid a debate over political ‘reforms’ announced by his successor
Newly declassified Foreign Office papers shed fresh light on the extent of Whitehall’s support for Qaboos bin Said al-Said, who became Sultan of Oman in 1970 after deposing his father in a coup led by British soldiers.
The files show that British ministers and officials welcomed the introduction of a repressive Basic Law in 1996 amid efforts to secure arms and energy contracts with the regime.
Following the coup, Sultan Qaboos ruled Oman for half a century until his death a year ago this week, by which time he was the Middle East’s longest-serving dictator. For the first two decades of his rule, Qaboos used British troops and mercenaries to suppress armed left-wing opponents in Dhofar, southern Oman.
Oman's leadership pushes ahead with reforms, cornered by the COVID-19 crisis and long-standing weaknesses in the local economy. Activists call for a constitutional monarchy.
Marcy Oster 01/12/2021
The sultan of Oman has announced constitutional changes that will provide for a more seamless succession and for the guarantee of more rights and freedoms for its citizens, including women. The changes, announced by state-run media on Monday, also will increase government transparency, including a committee to monitor and evaluate the performance of senior government officials.
Changes to the country’s basic law are made by the decree of the hereditary sultan.
The changes announced on Monday by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq come exactly one year after Haitham was named as the country’s new ruler following the death of his cousin, Qaboos bin Said, who had ruled the Arab nation for half a century.
HM greeted by Majlis Al Shura Chairman
By: ONA
Muscat: On the anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik’s assuming power in the Sultanate, Khalid bin Hilal Al-Ma’awali, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura, has sent a cable of greetings to His Majesty the Sultan reading as follows:
Your Majesty, Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, May the Almighty Allah protect you.
I am honoured, and so are personnel of the Majlis A’Shura, to greet Your Majesty on the anniversary of Your Majesty’s Accession Day, the 11th of January, praying to the Almighty Allah to support Your Majesty with success.