Dhi Yazan bin Haitham set to become Oman's first Crown Prince

Sayyid Dhi Yazan bin Haitham attends the Sultan Qaboos Cup final between Dhofar and Al Orouba at the Rustaq Sports Complex, west of the Omani capital Muscat in November. AFP

Omani Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Dhi Yazan bin Haitham and President of Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Jaber attend the 39th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly Meeting. AFP

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham presents the trophy to Dhofar players after winning the Sultan Qaboos Cup final. AFP

Omani Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Sayyid Dhi Yazan bin Haitham attends the 39th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly Meeting. AFP

Oman's ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq prepares for a meeting at Al Alam palace in the capital Muscat, Oman. AP

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham presents the Order of Royal Commendation, 3rd Class, to media personnel, granted by Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik. Oman News Agency

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham tours the exhibition titled “The Coast, Society and Protection," by Juana Mullet, at Bait al Baranda in Muttrah. Oman News Agency

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, takes part via video-conferencing in the 24th session of GCC Ministers of Culture's Council. Oman News Agency

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham receives in his office today Leslie M. Tsou, US ambassador to Oman. Oman News Agency

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham opens the training centre of Outward Bound Oman in Al Khoudh. Oman News Agency

Dhi Yazan bin Haitham, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. Oman News Agency

Sultan Haitham's eldest son is set to become Oman's first Crown Prince, in accordance with legislation which establishes succession from ruler to the eldest son.

Oxford-educated Dhi Yazan bin Haitham was born in 1990 and will likely be a popular choice with Oman's young population.

He currently holds the post of minister of culture, sports and youth, named to the role when his father restructured the government in August 2020. Before his appointment he served in Oman's UK embassy from 2018, a continuation of a foreign ministry role he began in 2013.

On Monday, Sultan Haitham issued a new basic law outlining a revised succession plan and creating the role of Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince will act in the place of the Sultan in the event of a "temporary impediment" that prevents the monarch from exercising his duties.

The law stipulates the Crown Prince must be a male descendant of Sultan Turki bin Sultan and have Omani Muslim parents.

"Bringing him early on to a government post and settling a clearer succession procedure gives him an ample training ground and is good news for investors, neighbours, and Oman," said Bader Al Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University.

Sultan Haitham's second son is Bilarab bin Haitham, five years younger than Dhi Yazan bin Haitham. Currently, he holds no official position.

The Sultan also has two daughters.

"It will be obviously one of his two sons. For me, either of them are a perfect successor," said Ali Al Rawahi, 32, an electrical engineer. "I know the chosen one will be groomed well to take over the job. They both have pleasant personalities, are highly spoken of, well-mannered and very responsible young men."

Dr Salim Al Salmi, a retired Sultan Qaboos University researcher, said: "Sayyid Dhi Yazan is the most likely one to take over from his father. He is acquiring experience in the Cabinet and it looks like he is being groomed for the top job."

Oman after Qaboos: Sultan Haitham's first year of rule

Omanis quietly marked the first anniversary of Sultan Qaboos's death on Sunday.

No official ceremonies were held, but state-run Oman television broadcast a programme about his legacy.

Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman from 1970 to 2020, came to power at the age of 29. A moderniser with respect for Oman’s traditions, the graduate of Britain's Sandhurst military academy transformed the country into a respected international player.

He was succeeded by Sultan Haitham, his cousin, on January 11, 2020.

In his first year, Sultan Haitham revamped the government, streamlining it from 26 to 19 ministries.

He also approved a 2040 economic vision aimed at diversifying Oman's income away from oil revenue.