Who was Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said?

The late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said during his 50-years reign was renowned for fostering strong ties between the Middle Eastern sultanate and the Island of Zanzibar in Tanzania, as news of his death was mourned on the Island as if he was their leader too.

The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.

There are concerns it could spread to countries with weaker health systems, many of which are in Africa.

(Image: He was Arab world's longest-serving ruler)