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 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: 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