The Diwan of the Royal Court issued a statement mourning Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, who passed away Friday evening after suffering from the illness he had suffered since 2014.

Saturday morning, official ceremonies will be held for the funeral of the late Sultan from the Palace of the House of Baraka to the Grand Mosque of Sultan, where he is prayed and then buried in the family cemetery.

The statement said that the country witnessed "a great renaissance which was established during the 50 years since it took power on July 23, 1970 AD, and after a wise and triumphant march full of giving."

The Diwan announced mourning and the suspension of official work for the public and private sectors for a period of three days and flags at half-mast in the next forty days.