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 83-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 March 2011

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: Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said

Key ministers

Agriculture & fisheries: Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed al-Sajwani

Awqaf & religious affairs: Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Salimi

Commerce & industry: Saad bin Mohammed bin Said al Saadi

Defence affairs: Badr bin Saud al-Busaidi

Diwan of the Royal Court: Khalid bin Hilal al-Busaidi

Education: Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nasser

Environment & climate affairs: Mohammed bin Salim bin Said al-Toobi

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

Housing: Saif al-Shabibi

Information: Hamed bin Mohammed al-Rashdi

Interior: Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al-Busaidi

Justice: Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Hinai

Legal affairs: Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Sa'eedi

Manpower: Abdullah bin Nasir al-Bakri

Oil & gas: Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi

Regional municipalities & water resources: Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Shuhi

Social development: Mohammed bin Said bin Saif al-Kalbani

Sports affairs: Ali bin Masoud al-Sunaidy

Tourism: Abdulmalik bin Abdullah bin Ali al-Khalili

Transport & communications: Ahmed bin Salim al-Futaisi

Central Bank executive president

Hamood Sangour al-Zadjal