'Muscat succession' [‎4r] (7/24)

in a position to offer any serious opposition*
During the course of the interview the Sultan never
once suggested that any recognition private or public should be
accorded to Saiyid Shahab bin Faisal as his successor by His
Majesty's Government and I do not consider that any such recog
nition would at the present time be in accordance with the Ruler*8
own wishes*
At the end of our discussion on this subject His High
ness mentioned that he had recently received letters from Dhofar
and that in consequence of the news contained in them he might
possibly wish to make a further statement on this subject in the
near future* The Sultan visited his southern province in April
of this year and has a wife living there*
3* The future is doubtful) the Sultan may have a son $ an
event which will probably change his whole outlook^ or in the
course of two or three years Saiyid Tarik bin Taimur may develop
into an ideal successor, but for the time being I consider that
Saiyid Shahab bin Faisal is the most suitable choice and should
be looked upon as the future Sultan*
The history of Muscat shows that during the last hand-
normal procedure has been for the ruling Sultan to
successor before his own death* Sometimes the
his preference for a particular son or relative
and sometimes he has made a pronouncement but in
history of the country there are many instances
and intentions of the ruler being disregarded
More often than not in the past it has been
powerful relative who has succeeded in establishing
is what will probably happen in the future*
the procedure remains much the same as it has
there has been a change In the source from which
draws his strength. In the old days a claimant
large following in the country and exerted the
/ most
this