Protests spread to Oman

From AFP:

Some 200 Omanis protested on Monday against high prices and corruption, a rare phenomenon in the Arab Gulf monarchy that seems to have been touched off by the revolt in Tunisia. 

“Rising prices have destroyed the dreams of ordinary citizens,” read one banner carried by the crowd gathered outside the housing ministry, where police manned a security cordon but did not intervene.

The protesters, who appeared after they received emails and messages on their mobile telephones calling for the demonstration, chanted slogans against corruption and the high cost of living.

“No to corruption. No to corruption,” shouted the protesters who called for “higher wages” and “fixed prices” for basic food items, the cost of which have swelled since the global financial downturn.

Demonstrations are rare in the Sultanate of Oman, as in most other Gulf oil monarchies, where street protests are strictly prohibited and where trade unions and political parties are banned

Things are spreading...