More than 2,000 people rally in southern Oman

[News_Editor]

More than 2,000 people rally in southern Oman

2011-04-23 05:45:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

MUSCAT, OMAN (BNO NEWS) -- More than 2,000 protesters on Friday took to the streets of Oman to demand better wages and further reforms, Gulf News reported.

Protesters rallied in Salalah in the country's southern region after offering Friday prayers in the parking space of the Governor's building and surrounds.

Activists in Salalah, 100km (62 miles) south of Muscat, have been staging sit-ins outside the Governor's office since the end of February along with sit-ins at Muscat and Sohar.

Since January protesters have been demanding better wages, more jobs, and an end to corruption. The country's ruler, Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed, has met most of their demands by making major changes to the council of Ministers. He changed six ministers in his cabinet in what he termed "the public's interest" and announced that social benefits for students would be boosted.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has been ruling the oil-rich country since 1970, also ordered the creation of 50,000 jobs in both sectors and an increase in minimum wages for the citizens in private sector.

In late February, at least two people were killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in the industrial city of Sohar. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of protesters calling for political reforms.

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