Omani crowd torches supermarket
Smoke billows from Lulu Hypermarket in Sohar, Oman, after it was set afire by protesters on Monday. (AP)
Published: Mar 1, 2011 00:51 Updated: Mar 1, 2011 00:55
SOHAR, Oman: Protesters set a supermarket ablaze and rallied at two places in this seaside town on Monday in a third consecutive day of unrest that has included deadly clashes in the Gulf state.
Security forces sealed off main roads to Sohar, about 200 km northwest of the capital of Muscat, in an attempt to isolate the protesters and keep crowds from swelling.
Omar Al-Abri, an official at the state-run Oman News Agency, said one person was confirmed dead Sunday after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Sohar.
Witnesses said a supermarket was set on fire Monday and several hundred protesters — mostly young men — were rallying in the town's main Globe Square, demanding higher salaries, jobs for unemployed youth and the dismissal of some government ministers.
By late afternoon, protests spread to Oman's second largest port in Sohar. Witnesses said about 500 protesters blocked trucks from entering the port, about 12 km from protest's focal point at the roundabout.
Police did not respond to Monday's protest, witnesses said.
State media reported Sohar's civilian guards, including members of women's associations, repelled protesters' attempts to set fire to a health center and several commercial sites.
Oman shares with Iran the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf — the route for about 40 percent of the world's oil tanker traffic. Oman also plays an important role as a mediator between Iran and the West because of its strong ties to Tehran and Washington.
Protests have been rare in the country. But Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, is moving quickly to try to offer reforms to quell the demands that include more jobs and a greater public voice in the country's affairs. On Sunday, he ordered 50,000 new state positions and a monthly stipend of 150 rials ($390) for job seekers. A day earlier, the sultan replaced six Cabinet members.
Comments
SYED SHAHUL HAMEED MUSTAFFA
Mar 1, 2011 12:01
Report abuseISMAEEL MARIKAR
Mar 1, 2011 12:17
Report abuseplayed a significant part in the development of the country, and I wish it well.
I only hope the people will act wisely, and accept what the Sultan has offered
his people.
He is one Ruler in the region who used to "criss-cross" the country with an entourage of his Ministers and look into their problems and offer immediate solutions. This happened every year.
Since his taking power he has done a lot for his country.
OMANIS must be watchful of those, from the region, who could be
mercenaries sent to destabilise the country. I pray that they will not
fall victim to the "machinations" of the West.