DUBAI - The Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said passed away on Friday evening, Oman's state media reported early Saturday.

"The Diwan of Royal Court announces mourning and disrupts the official work of the public and private sectors for 3 days and flags at half-mast in the next forty days," the state TV public channel said on Twitter.

The sultan, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, died at the age of 79, Oman News Agency said. He had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor, according to media.