SOHAR, Oman, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Figures from Oman put the death toll from weekend unrest at two, though witnesses said as many as six people were killed in the latest Middle Eastern uprising.
Authorities at the state-run Oman News Agency said one person was killed in weekend unrest. Hospital officials put the death toll at two, though witnesses said at least four others died, al-Jazeera reports.
Omani Health Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saidi also denied reports that security forces were using live rounds, saying only rubber bullets were fired on demonstrators.
Oman is the latest in a growing list of Middle Eastern and North African countries facing unrest. Demonstrations starting in December led to the ouster of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt and many others in the region are coping with similar threats.
Omani demonstrators are expressing dissatisfaction with government officials more than the ruling dynasty itself, al-Jazeera notes.
Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, in power since 1970, called for another 50,000 state positions during the weekend. He replaced six Cabinet officials and offers $390 for job seekers as well.
Security personnel blocked off parts of the northern city of Sohar as looters ransacked grocery stores. Al-Jazeera reported that most of the police have left the site of most of the heavy looting.
