6. Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman – 45 Years, 182 Days
The current Sultan of Oman climbed to power after overthrowing his father in a palace coup in the year 1970. He is the fourteenth descendant of the Al Bu Sa’idi dynasty’s founder. After overthrowing his father on the 23rd of July, 1970 with the goal of bringing to an end the country’s isolationist policies, he established an absolute monarchy. When he became Sultan, he declared that the nation would not be referred to as “Muscat and Oman” anymore, but the “Sultanate of Oman” instead. His reign has been characterized by a remarkable transformation of the country into one that today has a thriving health sector, good roads, free education, and widespread access to utilities such as electricity and running water. Oman is among the most stable countries in the Middle East, with the Sultan maintaining close ties with both the US and Britain. Qaboos has no sons and, in the event of his demise, the royal family is mandated to pick a successor within three days. If they fail to agree within this time, a letter written by the Sultan containing his preferred choice would then be opened.
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