Official name

Sultanate of Oman

Form of state

Monarchy

Legislature

There is no national legislature. The Council of Oman debates policy but does not legislate. It comprises the 84-member Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council), which was elected by universal suffrage in 2007-the next election is in October 2011-and the Majlis al-Dawla (State Council), whose members were appointed in November 2007

Head of state

Qaboos bin Said al-Said assumed power in July 1970

Executive

The sultan rules by decree, assisted by the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The most recent cabinet reshuffle was in September 2007

Main political parties

Political parties are not permitted

Adviser of the sultan

Shihab bin Tariq al-Said

Personal representative of the sultan

Assad bin Tariq al-Said

The government

Prime minister, minister of defence, finance & foreign affairs: Qaboos bin Said al-Said

Deputy prime minister for cabinet affairs: Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said

Key ministers

Agriculture: Salim bin Hilal al-Khalili

Awqaf & religious affairs: Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Salimi

Commerce & industry: Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan

Defence affairs: Badr bin Saud bin Hareb al-Busaidi

Diwan of the Royal Court: Ali bin Hamoud al-Busaidi

Education: Yahya bin Saud bin Mansour al-Salaimi

Environment & climate affairs: Hamoud bin Faisal al-Busaidi

Fisheries: Mohammed bin Ali al-Qatabi

Foreign affairs: Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah

Health: Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sa'eedi

Heritage & culture: Haithem bin Tariq al-Said

Higher education: Rawya bint Saud al-Busaidi

Information: Hamed bin Mohammed al-Rashdi

Interior: Saud bin Ibrahim bin Saud al-Busaidi

Justice: Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Hinai

Legal affairs: Mohammed bin Ali bin Nasser al-Alawi

Manpower: Abdullah bin Nasir al-Bakri

National economy: Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki

Oil & gas: Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi

Regional municipalities & water resources: Abdullah bin Salim bin A'amir al-Rowas

Social affairs development: Sharifa bint Khalfan al-Yahyaeea

Tourism: Rajha bint Abdulameer

Transport & communications: Khamis bin Mubarak al-Alawi

Central Bank executive president

Hamood Sangour al-Zadjal