After sending messages of condolence on Saturday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met Sultan Qaboos’ successor, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, on Sunday.
“Today, I offered the condolences of the UAE’s leadership and people to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on the demise of Sultan Qaboos, who was a great leader with a sound vision,” he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.
“May he rest in peace. May God grant Oman strength, stability, and progress.”
As the longest-serving leader in the Middle East, Sultan Qaboos brought peace and prosperity to his country and was a friend to all,” Mr. Trump said in a statement. Sultan Qaboos was instrumental in acting as a backchannel to enable US negotiations with Iran to bring about the 2015 nuclear deal.
His funeral procession on Saturday passed along Muscat’s main road amid tight security as Omanis thronged the palm tree-lined route, some reaching out their hands and others taking pictures.
The casket, draped in the Omani flag, was carried into Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque where hundreds joined prayers inside. Sultan Haitham stood facing the casket, with the traditional curved dagger, or khanjar, strapped to his waist. Sultan Qaboos was later buried in a family cemetery.
