Thread by @FatmaArimi

Last night, troops were called to emergency duty. Later that night Sultan #Qaboos passed away.

Just after 4:00 am today, the official statement by Royal Diwan was announced.
The Defence Council convened directly, and called upon the Family (the al-Said's) Council to conven

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Sometime between 7-8 am the Family Council decided to follow the late Sultan's will in naming the successor. And Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in.
(While the official announcement came approximately an hour later)

While the body of the late Sultan was arriving at the grand mosque, the second official statement by the Defence Council was broadcasted announcing the new Sultan's name.

The details of: opening the will, naming the new Sultan, the inauguration ceremony and Sultan #Haitham's first speech were broadcasted by the state TV around noon after the burial of the late Sultan #Qaboos

In his first speech to the nation, #Haitham assured local, regional, and international audience of:
- following the same foreign policy of peace and diplomacy
- respecting the sovereignty of countries
- working with GCC, the Arab League, and the UN towards progress and stability

After the new Sultan is named, Oman's foreign policy will be tested with the on going regional conflicts.

While the civil institutions will be tested for its ability to function as usual, or even better.

These two points will answer long-asked questions about "what's next?"

The new Sultan, who looked after drafting and involving all segments of the society in Oman's #vision2040, will have to make sure that the answer to the previous question is positive.

In the will, the late Sultan #Qaboos said that entrusting Haitham to be his successor is to "guarantee the stability of the country "for the qualities and capabilities" he possess.

He called upon Omanies to be "his (Haitham's) strong support and honest counselor"

The late Sultan invited Oman to "pledge allegiance and obedience (to his chosen successor) in hardship and ease"

To be united and avoid "all causes of discord and division"

The Family Council chose to follow the will in naming the new Sultan, even though they had a choice to decide on one.

Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud spoke about the reason for this choice before the Defence Council prior to opening the two copies of the will

He says "the Family Council has convened earlier, and agreed to confirm the name in the will of his majesty (Qaboos)"

The choice to follow the will is "in honor of this man (#Qaboos), in appreciation of him", and for the sake of #Oman's reputation.

The Duke of Cambridge was the last official guest reserved by the late Sultan #Qaboos, in December.

It was also the last media appearance of the late Sultan, only few days prior to his short medical trip to #Belgium

https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1216073007405375488?s=19

The significance of #Oman's swift and smooth succession to locals is driven by love and hopes.
For the international community, it's driven by the fact that this is the 1st time ever to happen. Hence all the questions since the late Sultan's medical trip to #Germany in 2014/15
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The process, as followed, was laid down by #Oman's Basic Law (The equivalent of the constitution) which was issued in 1996 by the late #Qaboos. But was never put to test.

With the quick process followed yesterday, the ambiguity fades.

And the experience leaves less room for concerns in the future

In these two photos, Gen. Sultan al-Numani the Minister of the Royal Office presents the 1st copy of the will before reading it to the room.

Then Sayyid Khalid al-Busaidy the Minister of the Royal Diwan reads out the 2nd copy.

Sultan #HaithambinTariq took the oath infornt of the following councils:
- The Defence
- The Royal Family
- Oman (The Omani parliament, including the elected branch @ShuraCouncil_OM , and the appointed branch @OmanStateCounci )
- The Ministers ( The cabinet)

Oman is receiving a number of leaders over the three-day mourning, as of today to extend their condolences.
So far, the announced list of visitors include:
Amir of #Kuwait
Amir of #Qatar
President of #Tunisia
Former President of #France (Sarkozy)
Iran foreign minister

Sultan #Haitham has also received the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Shk. Mohammed bin Zayed

And the British Crown Prince, HRH Charles, Prince of Wales

The king of #Bahrain also arrived in #Muscat to extend his condolences

Unlike the late Sultan #Qaboos, Sultan #Haitham is a father of 4 (2 boys and 2 girls), and they are involved in the social and business arenas in #Oman

(Thuraya, Dhi-Yazan/Thee-Yazan, Umaimah, and Bel'arab)

All of them are young between the ages of 25-33.

It will be interesting to see how their lives might change, and how will others interact with them.

When Haitham was still a minister, he had the chance to interact with his fellow members of the cabinet on a weekly basis.
He was able to observe what each one brings to the table for years.

As the Sultan, he is now in a position to use this first-hand experience for #Vision2040