MUSCAT – Protesters pressed for political and labour demands on Tuesday across the Gulf state of Oman, where a string of concessions from veteran ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said have failed to bring unrest to an end.
Qaboos, in power for 40 years, decided earlier this week to cede some legislative powers to the partially elected Oman Council, which is so far only an advisory body.
At present, only the sultan and his cabinet can legislate. The government also said it would double monthly welfare payments and increase pension benefits, making Oman the latest Gulf state to offer handsome incentives to citizens in the wake of protests that have rocked much of the Arab world.
On Tuesday, protesters added to their demands, saying the sultan’s new police chief must investigate sacked ministers for alleged corruption. Qaboos has fired 12 ministers so far.
“The new inspector general must immediately do his job and investigate the sacked ministers for corruption when they were in power,” said Khalfan Al Abri at a demonstration outside the Shura Council, the elected chamber of parliament.
