Oman protesters call for political reform, pay rise

(Reuters) - About 300 people demanded political reforms and better pay in a peaceful protest in Oman on Friday as unrest in other Middle East countries and North Africa turned increasingly violent.

Men and women gathered in Ruwi, a commercial district in the capital, after prayers and chanted "we want democracy" while others shouted "more pay and jobs."

"Food prices and other commodities have gone up twice in price in the last three years... the increase is not enough," student Mohammed Hashil told Reuters.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/19/us-oman-protests-idUSTRE71I0V920110219

Oman reshuffles cabinet as protesters block mall

(Reuters) - Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said reshuffled his cabinet on Saturday, changing six ministers in "the public's interest," one week after a rare protest calling for political reform.

The cabinet changes came as 500 protesters demanding democracy and jobs blocked traffic and broke street lights in the largest industrial city Sohar. Protests are rare in Oman, a small Gulf country where political parties are banned.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/26/us-oman-cabinet-idUSTRE71P1IN20110226

JediJaney said this morning:

Police are firing teargas into crowds today in Oman

Oh Man!

Sorry for the lame pun, but it was obvious.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if these protests carry on and get bigger. As has been said before though, the main worry is that somewhere like Saudi Arabia or Iran will descend into chaos.