Reuters AlertNet Lite - Oman creates new ministries, reshuffles cabinet

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Oman creates new ministries, reshuffles cabinet

09 Sep 2007 17:09:22 GMT
Source: Reuters

MUSCAT, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Oman's Sultan Qaboos created two new ministries and reshuffled the cabinet on Sunday, six weeks before the Gulf Arab oil producer holds elections to an advisory body.

The state-run Oman News Agency said Sultan Qaboos issued a slew of decrees reorganising public sector departments and appointing new civil servants. Key cabinet portfolios were unchanged.

ONA gave no reason for the changes, which also ushered in a new head of the Shura Council, a body that advises the government on legislation.

He elevated the departments of environment and fisheries into full ministries. Fisheries was previously part of the agriculture ministry while environmental affairs were part of the water resources and regional municipalities ministry.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Ali al-Qatabi was appointed minister of fisheries and Hammoud bin Faysal al-Bousaidi was named minister of environment, ONA said.

Khamees bin Mubarak al-Alawi -- who was housing, electricity and water minister -- was named minister of transport and communications. Electricity and water will now be organised by a newly created committee.

Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed al-Shabaibi was named housing minister, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Marhoud al-Mamari became minister of state and governor of Dhofar province, ONA said.

The sultan is himself the de facto prime minister as well as the foreign minister and the defence minister of Oman, a non-OPEC oil exporter in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Sultan Qaboos last reshuffled the cabinet in May 2004. He rules the country with the aid of the government and a group of special advisers.

ONA said Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali al-Qatabi was named a state adviser.

Oman is due to hold its second-ever elections to the Shura Council on October 27.

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Last updated:Sun Sep 9 17:11:02 2007