Sultan Qaboos – in power since deposing his father four decades ago – rules by decree Two people have been reported killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in the Gulf state of Oman.
Hundreds of people had gathered for a second day of protests calling for political reforms, in the industrial city of Sohar.
At least five people were wounded when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters, reports say.
Until now, Oman had mostly been spared the unrest which has affected other Arab states in recent months.
Demonstrations are also taking place in the southern town of Salalah, according to Reuters news agency.
There was a small protest last week in the capital Muscat last week, with around 300 people calling for greater democracy and jobs.
On Saturday the ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, changed six ministers in his cabinet in what he termed “the public’s interest” and announced that social benefits for students would be boosted.
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.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.