<p>Oman's sultan has issued a new law on the appointment of a crown prince for the first time in the country's history, aimed at creating a more "specific and stable" transfer of power, according to a royal decree.</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham bin Tariq issued two royal decrees on Monday, one for parliament and one for a new succession mechanism, state television reported.</p>.<p>"The most significant (element)... is establishing a specific and stable mechanism for transfer of the governing authority and a mechanism to appoint a crown prince," said a royal decree read on state TV.</p>.<p>According to the Omani constitution, the royal family must determine a sultan's successor within three days of the throne falling vacant.</p>.<p>If the family does not agree on a successor, a person chosen by the sultan will be named.</p>.<p>The sultan should be a member of the royal family, as well as "Muslim, mature, rational and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents".</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham ascended to the throne last January after the death of his cousin, Sultan Qaboos, modern Oman's founding father.</p>.<p>Qaboos was unmarried and had no heir, meaning that the succession was decided in a meeting of the royal family who opted to open the sealed letter he had prepared, detailing his preference.</p>.<p>The new royal ruler is married and has four children, two boys and two girls, according to Omani media.</p>.<p>Qaboos transformed the former Arabian Peninsula backwater into a modern nation with a staunch policy of neutrality and non-interference that won it respect in the region and beyond.</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham has made several changes since he came to power, but has vowed to maintain the sultanate's policy of neutrality and non-interference.</p>
<p>Oman's sultan has issued a new law on the appointment of a crown prince for the first time in the country's history, aimed at creating a more "specific and stable" transfer of power, according to a royal decree.</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham bin Tariq issued two royal decrees on Monday, one for parliament and one for a new succession mechanism, state television reported.</p>.<p>"The most significant (element)... is establishing a specific and stable mechanism for transfer of the governing authority and a mechanism to appoint a crown prince," said a royal decree read on state TV.</p>.<p>According to the Omani constitution, the royal family must determine a sultan's successor within three days of the throne falling vacant.</p>.<p>If the family does not agree on a successor, a person chosen by the sultan will be named.</p>.<p>The sultan should be a member of the royal family, as well as "Muslim, mature, rational and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents".</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham ascended to the throne last January after the death of his cousin, Sultan Qaboos, modern Oman's founding father.</p>.<p>Qaboos was unmarried and had no heir, meaning that the succession was decided in a meeting of the royal family who opted to open the sealed letter he had prepared, detailing his preference.</p>.<p>The new royal ruler is married and has four children, two boys and two girls, according to Omani media.</p>.<p>Qaboos transformed the former Arabian Peninsula backwater into a modern nation with a staunch policy of neutrality and non-interference that won it respect in the region and beyond.</p>.<p>Sultan Haitham has made several changes since he came to power, but has vowed to maintain the sultanate's policy of neutrality and non-interference.</p>