DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said passed away on Friday evening, Oman's state media reported early Saturday.

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"The Diwan of Royal Court announces mourning and disrupts the official work of the public and private sectors for 3 days and flags at half-mast in the next forty days," the state TV public channel said on Twitter.
The sultan, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, died at the age of 79, Oman News Agency said. He had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor, according to media.