Dhi Yazan bin Haitham set to become Oman sultanate's first crown prince

According to an official announcement made on Tuesday night, Dhi Yazan bin Haitham, the eldest son of current Oman ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq is set to become the first crown prince of the Sultanate of Oman.

Dhi Yazan is currently the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Oman.  He will be the first crown prince in the history of modern Oman as there was no crown prince in Oman during the reign of late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

On Monday, an announcement had set the terms of the transfer of power in the country along with the appointment of a crown prince. However, it had not specified who the crown prince would be or what responsibilities he would have.

The ruler of Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tariq had issued two supreme decrees, the first by issuing the statute of the state, and the second by issuing the Law of the Council of Oman, as reported by the Omani News Agency (ONA) on Monday.

According to new decree of Oman, the Basic Law will transfer power of ruler to eldest son of the serving sultan. The new basic law states that if the crown prince dies before his deciding his successor, the title consequentially goes to his eldest son. Also, if the successor is under the age of 21, then a guardianship council will be assigned to exert the sultan'spowers until he is of the age.

The same decree specifies that basic education is mandatory for all citizens of the country and will ensure gender equality, child andyouth welfare and rights of the disabled, according to the Omani News Agency (ONA).