Middle East, Jan. 11 -- According to Oman's state media, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a long-ruling king of Oman has died at the age of 79 on Friday evening.
The sultan died after "a wise and triumphant march rich with generosity that embraced Oman and extended to the Arab, Muslim and entire world and achieved a balanced policy that the whole world respected", the state-run Oman News Agency said.
His cause of death was not disclosed.
There had been concerns over his health in recent weeks and he had reportedly been in Belgium for treatment, but traveled back to Oman shortly before the new year.
Oman, on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula and a key Western ally, has announced a three-day period of national mourning.
Sultan Qab...