UPDATE - Haitham bin Tariq takes oath as Oman's new sultan

UPDATES WITH QABOOS' FUNERAL

MUSCAT (AA) – Culture Minister Haitham bin Tariq al-Said took the oath of allegiance on Saturday as Sultan of Oman after the death of longtime ruler Qaboos, state television announced.

Sultan Qaboos died on Friday at the age of 79 after a long battle with illness.

State television said authorities had opened a letter by Qaboos naming his successor, without elaborating, before announcing Haitham bin Tariq as the new ruler.

Thousands of Omanis gathered at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque where funeral prayers were held for the late ruler before noon Saturday.

Omani authorities declared a three day of national mourning with flags to be flown at half-mast for 40 days over the sultan's death.

Qaboos had ruled Oman since 1970 and was the eighth sultan of the House of Al Said. He was the longest-serving monarch among the recent Arab rulers.

The late sultan was credited for modernizing his country, using the oil money to build roads and hospitals and develop infrastructure.