Oman

Qabus ibn Said: The Emergence of a Modern State

Sultan Qabus ibn Said Al Said, ruler of Oman
Courtesy Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington (Photo Mohamed Mustafa)

Muscat, capital of Oman, with Jilali and Mirani forts in the background
Courtesy Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington

After assuming power in 1970, Qabus ibn Said concentrated on restoring control over southern Dhofar region, which had been in rebellion against his father's oppressive rule. He used economic and military means, believing that poor economic conditions had helped motivate the Dhofari rebellion. By 1975 he succeeded in suppressing militarily the Marxist-inspired rebellion, and the sultan could turn to development issues and the establishment of modern governmental and administrative institutions. By the mid1980s , virtually all regions of the country were linked by a transportation system and a telecommunications network. Ministerial government and the civil service were expanded, and limited participation in the political process was created in 1981 with the establishment of the State Consultative Council and in 1991, with the formation of the Consultative Council, an advisory body that superseded the State Consultative Council.

Data as of January 1993