The new Sultan, born on October 13, 1954 in Muscat, is a prominent member of the ruling al-Said family.

World leaders paid homage to Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who died at the age of 79, as a wise and moderate leader and a champion of Arab and Islamic nations.

Oman's Diwan of Royal Court issued Tuesday a statement in which it said that Sultan Qaboos is in a stable condition and continues the medical treatment programme prescribed for him.

The pardon included 274 inmates, 115 of them were expatriates, Oman News Agency reported.

Oman's Sultan Qaboos returned on Tuesday from Germany after a successful medical checkup on his progress following lengthy treatment there in 2014 and 2015, a royal court statement said.