Muscat – The Diwan of Royal Court on Thursday announced the passing of H H Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, who died on the morning of March 12.

A statement said, ‘With hearts that surrender to the will and decree of the Almighty Allah, the Diwan of Royal Court mourns H H Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, who passed away this morning. His passing follows a lifetime of unwavering dedication and selfless service to the beloved homeland, which he served faithfully from the dawn of the blessed Renaissance.

‘May Allah the Almighty rest the departed soul in peace in paradise in the company of the righteous and the virtuous, and grant his family patience and solace.’

H H Sayyid Fahd was widely regarded as one of the leading Omani figures who contributed to the country’s modern renaissance since its beginning in 1970.

Born in Muscat on October 5, 1940, he completed his higher education at Cairo University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in economics. He later obtained a master’s degree in political science and economics from Sorbonne University in 1970.

Fluent in Arabic, French and English, H H Sayyid Fahd held several senior government positions during the reign of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1971 to 1973, Minister of Information and Culture from 1973 to 1979, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs from 1979 to 1994, and Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers from 1994 until his passing.

He also chaired several national bodies, including the Supreme Committee for GCC Conferences, the council of Sultan Qaboos University, the Higher Committee for Royal Opera House Muscat, and the Supreme Committee for Five-Year Plans.

Throughout his career, H H Sayyid Fahd frequently represented Oman at international forums and regional summits, representing both the late Sultan Qaboos and later His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

Over more than five decades in public service, he played a role in shaping government policy and strengthening Oman’s diplomatic relations with countries including Japan, Iran, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore, as well as across the Arab region.