Oman protests: More unrest despite sultan's reform vow

[shian]

[quote=BBCNEWS]
Protesters have taken to the streets in the Gulf state of Oman for a third day to call for political reforms.

Hundreds of people blocked roads in Sohar, Oman's main industrial centre, while others maintained a vigil at a central roundabout.

A supermarket was set on fire by protesters and looted, and state property was damaged.

The new protests came a day after Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said promised to create more jobs.

He also announced a new ministerial committee to examine calls for more powers to be given to the elected consultative council.

Witnesses say two people were killed in Sunday's clashes, but the government has only confirmed one death.

Until now, Oman had mostly been spared the unrest which has affected other Arab states in recent months.

Sohar, Oman's second largest port, handles oil products equivalent to around 160,000 barrels of oil a day.

But a port spokeswoman told Reuters news agency exports were unaffected by the protests, despite an industrial area including the port, a refinery and an aluminium factory being blocked by demonstrators.

Protesters called for "the trial of all ministers" and the "abolition of all taxes".

There have been reports of protests in other cities. Reuters said two demonstrations were held in the capital Muscat.

At least one person died after being shot with rubber bullets as protesters tried to storm a police station on Sunday.

The oldest independent state in the Arab world, Oman has been ruled by Sultan Qaboos since he seized power from his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, in 1970.

There is an elected Consultative Assembly but not all Omani adults are eligible to vote in elections for the Assembly and it is purely advisory, with no legislative powers.

The oil-rich country is a popular tourist destination and a long-standing ally of the US and Britain.
[/quote]

Source:
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12600098[/url]

[DainBramageStud]

O man

[Spetzaz]

JUST IN:
Invasion strategy to overthrow the government in Oman before they get violent with the protesters;
[img_thumb]http://bf2.free-gfx.com/bf2_maps/gulf_of_oman/cq_32_gulf_of_oman.png[/img_thumb]
They're going to wait for the jet to spawn, and then they're going to cap all the flags.

[GetBent]

[QUOTE=Spetzaz;28343780]JUST IN:
Invasion strategy to overthrow the government in Oman before they get violent with the protesters;
[img_thumb]http://bf2.free-gfx.com/bf2_maps/gulf_of_oman/cq_32_gulf_of_oman.png[/img_thumb]
They're going to wait for the jet to spawn, and then they're going to cap all the flags.[/QUOTE]

Knew it was coming.

[HumanAbyss]

[QUOTE=Spetzaz;28343780]JUST IN:
Invasion strategy to overthrow the government in Oman before they get violent with the protesters;
[img_thumb]http://bf2.free-gfx.com/bf2_maps/gulf_of_oman/cq_32_gulf_of_oman.png[/img_thumb]
They're going to wait for the jet to spawn, and then they're going to cap all the flags.[/QUOTE]

I nostalgiad a bit.

[bobsmit]

No spawn camping uncappables

[Taipan]

[QUOTE=Spetzaz;28343780]JUST IN:
Invasion strategy to overthrow the government in Oman before they get violent with the protesters;
[img_thumb]http://bf2.free-gfx.com/bf2_maps/gulf_of_oman/cq_32_gulf_of_oman.png[/img_thumb]
They're going to wait for the jet to spawn, and then they're going to cap all the flags.[/QUOTE]

*inserts BF2 disc*

[goon165]

[quote=taipan;28349231]*inserts bf2 disc*[/quote]

[b]dadundun da dun dun.[/b]

[Mr Skeltal]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vHRMeRszw4[/media]

[Spetzaz]

I love how every single post ITT has been completely on topic and serious.

[editline]28th February 2011[/editline]

[QUOTE=goon165;28349335][b]dadundun da dun dun.[/b][/QUOTE]

Punkbuster has kicked you for the following reason:
Protests (admin decision)

[cheesedelux]

[QUOTE=Spetzaz;28349504]I love how every single post ITT has been completely on topic and serious.

[editline]28th February 2011[/editline]

Punkbuster has kicked you for the following reason:
Protests (admin decision)[/QUOTE]

Yeah right, they'll be lucky if PnkbstrB.exe initialises correctly.

[bord2tears]

I miss the days of everyone fighting over the jets and cobra. Much C4 was planted, and many were banned. No fighting would take place, as everyone sat and waited.

[Spetzaz]

Did this just turn into a Battlefield thread?

[Brage Nyman]

[QUOTE=Spetzaz;28343780]JUST IN:
Invasion strategy to overthrow the government in Oman before they get violent with the protesters;
[img_thumb]http://bf2.free-gfx.com/bf2_maps/gulf_of_oman/cq_32_gulf_of_oman.png[/img_thumb]
They're going to wait for the jet to spawn, and then they're going to cap all the flags.[/QUOTE]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0aXAm0jqd0[/media]

Teammate running towards Jet, Teammate shot in back.

[bravehat]

[quote] "abolition of all taxes"[/quote]

BAND WAGON PROTESTS INCOMING!! OH MAN WHAT WILL WE DO! :smithicide:

[shian]

Oh god what have I done

[Murkat]

[quote]A supermarket was set on fire by protesters and looted, and state property was damaged.[/quote]

"Hey let's burn this supermarket after we steal everything inside, that'll show the world that we care about this becoming a better country!"

[Devodiere]

I understand their protests with an elected council being purely advisory, they have no power except to protest. It seems however that they are not so good with their goals. Maybe they are just protesting for protesting, maybe they want something but don't know what, who knows.

Maybe they are like Qatar and get so much money from Oil that it is possible to not tax their people. Hard decisions that only they can sort out. Good to see they want something though, better than random riots.