Oman: Violence escalates as 60 demonstrators detained

AROUND 60 protesters were detained in Oman yesterday after violent clashes in the city of Sohar on Friday.

The clashes occurred during a fifth week of protests, with demonstrators stopped by water cannon.

Oman's general prosecutor said yesterday that protesters had thrown stones and used knives against security forces. Some shot back at officers, he claimed, with five being injured, one critically.

In the capital Muscat, about 150 people gathered outside the Shura Council, the elected chamber of parliament, late on Friday but there was no visible security presence, according to a witness. A few dozen remained yesterday.

Organisers said they were waiting for more protesters to arrive from Sohar and planned to march on government offices later in the day.

A 25-year-old man injured by a rubber bullet in Friday's clash died in hospital. Activists said security forces used tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons.

The clashes came three days after a crackdown against protesters to clear a Sohar roundabout where about 100 people had set up camp.

Protests in Oman, which pumps out 800,000 barrels of oil a day, have focused on demands for better wages, jobs and an end to corruption.

Many protesters have demanded that the government be held accountable for the detention of hundreds of demonstrators in Sohar.

Some of the protesters at a roundabout on Friday had set up road blocks and were charging drivers tolls, witnesses said, saying they were jobless and needed the money.

Two roundabouts nine miles apart have been the centre of the protests in Sohar. Each was guarded by two armoured vehicles yesterday.

The ruling dynasty in Oman has been backed by Washington and also has ties to Iran. Wealthy Arab neighbours have launched a $20 billion aid package for their less prosperous neighbours, designed to generate jobs and allow upgrades of housing and infrastructure.