MUSCAT // Omani security troops sealed off a protest site in Sohar yesterday, denying access to the city's biggest mosques in an effort to prevent more violence after weekly prayers.
More than 120 police supported by dozens of armoured vehicles set up roadblocks leading into the centre of the industrial city in north-eastern Oman. Residents' names were checked against a list and access to mosques was restricted, while a helicopter flew overhead, witnesses said.
Security forces arrested about 60 people in clashes after prayers last Friday that left one demonstrator dead, the second confirmed death since unrest started in Oman seven weeks ago. Omani activists using e-mails and text messages called for a demonstration yesterday to protest against last week's violence when security forces dispersed a crowd of stone-throwing protesters.
"They [security forces] prevented people from going for Friday prayers to the main mosques in the areas. Perhaps to stop a repetition of last Friday's gathering that went out of control," said a local resident, who refused to be identified.
Another local said police and security agents asked residents to stay indoors in areas near the spot where the clashes took place last Friday.
Demonstrations in Oman, inspired by protests that have spread across the Middle East and toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia, have focused on demands for better wages, jobs and an end to corruption. Many protesters have demanded the state prosecute sacked ministers for corruption.
"Worshippers have been restricted from going to Friday prayers because of so many checkpoints," one resident said. Asked if there would be further protests in the area, he said: "I don't think so."
Another resident said: "There are at least a dozen checkpoints in Sohar, more than three times what there were last Friday."
The state-run Oman News Agency said on Tuesday that police had arrested a number of people "in possession of inflammable materials" that the government feared would be used in protests planned yesterday.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled the sultanate for 40 years, has embarked on a series of reforms since protests began.
He promised in March to cede some legislative powers to the partially-elected Oman Council, an advisory body. At present, only the sultan and his cabinet can legislate and a transfer of powers has yet to be announced.
The Sultan also ordered a grant of 150 rials (Dh1,430) unemployment benefit. He raised civil service pay and pensions of government employees and doubled social security allowances.
* With additional reporting by Reuters