Middle East News
Several hundred protest in Oman for greater powers for parliament
Feb 18, 2011, 17:33 GMT
Muscat, Oman - Up to 800 people peacefully protested in Oman on Friday, calling or greater freedoms and greater powers for the elected parliament.
The demonstrators said 'Yes, yes to reform. No to corruption' and 'We want democracy.'
The protesters were stopped by police from marching to the main street in the capital Muscat. No clashes were reported.
Included in the protest were intellectuals, writers, professors and women.
Demonstrators said they signed a petition to be sent to the government calling for greater salaries and social security for those who are unable to work or disabled.
The Sultanate of Oman, as it is also called, is located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula and has a population of just under 3 million people, of which just over half are Omani citizens. It is ruled over by Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who has inherited the post.
The Oman protest is the latest in a wave across the Arab world and Middle East, which began in Tunisia, followed by Egypt, and have now seen similar demos in Jordan, Bahrain, Libya and one called for Algeria.
Read more about Oman Demos
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