Oman protests resume after deadly clashes

MUSCAT, Oman: Dozens of protestors staged a sit-in Saturday in the Omani capital to demand probe into alleged violations of state after clashes with security forces killed at least one death and significantly increased tensions in the strategic countries of the Gulf.

Disturbances Friday in the northern industrial city of Sohar - where the protests began more than six weeks - suggests that high-level shake-ups and other concessions by the rulers of Oman have been up claims demonstrators for more political freedoms.

In a sign of concerns over violence, military imposed a night curfew in Sohar and the units stationed around government offices and other important buildings of the city, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north west of the capital, Muscat.

Medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, said a 22 year old man died early Saturday of injuries in the clashes and at least four other protesters were injured. The precise cause of death was not immediately known.

Authorities say they used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets in "legitimate defense" after the crowd began pelting riot police with stones and brandishing knives, according to a statement by the office of Oman's attorney. The demonstrators, however, say the police opened fire with live ammunition.

It was the second death related protest in Oman since protests erupted in late February to demand more jobs and greater public voice in the political affairs of the country tightly controlled.

Ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has replaced more than a dozen cabinet members and promised other reforms such as 50,000 new civil service positions.