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

.. 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)