Qaboos bin Said Al Said

Qaboos bin Said Al Said has been the Sultan of Oman since he ousted his father in 1970. While his father was conservative and mistrusted outsiders, Qaboos has significantly modernized and opened Oman to the world. Qaboos took power during a civil war; the coup was a turning point because of his policy changes and different approach to the conflict. The country has since benefited substantially from the discovery of petroleum, but the Sultan remains an absolute ruler.

Oman experienced some minor protests during the Arab Spring; these called for reforms rather than for the removal of the Sultan, who keeps a firm grasp on the press. The protesters mostly want constitutional reforms and an end to corruption. Unemployment is also a major issue in Sohar, which saw the largest protests. In October, Sultan Qaboos released a royal decree to allow the legislative council a greater voice in decision-making.

For more information on the Arab Spring in Oman, see http://bbc.in/gATgJg and http://bit.ly/qNF7FO.