Qaboos bin Said

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Sultan of Oman, the 14th descendant of the Albusaid family. Opposed to the conservative views of his father, Said ibn Taimur, he was held under virtual house arrest from 1964, before overthrowing his father in 1970 in a bloodless coup and assuming the sultanship. Since then he has followed more liberal and expansionist policies, while maintaining his country's position of international non-alignment. He has allowed parliamentary elections in which women have stood as candidates and voted, and has invested the country's oil wealth in improved education, healthcare, and roads.

The number of stripes changed frequently until around 1800. Red, white, and blue became the colours of liberty and an inspiration for other revolutionary flags around the world. Effective date: 19 February 1937. >>