Oman Council Elects Speaker for First Time

Members of Oman's recently elected Majlis Al-Shura consultative council elected Saturday their speaker for the first time ever after Sultan Qaboos slightly expanded the body's powers.

Khaled bin Hilal al-Maawali got 50 votes from the 84-member council, whose chief used to be named by the sultan, ONA state news agency.

Earlier this month, Qaboos granted some legislative and regulatory authorities which he had pledged to the advisory body in response to unprecedented social unrest.

The sultan also decreed that the council would be able to revise and propose legislation, which will still need to be endorsed by the all-appointed upper chamber, to go the sultan who has the final call.

The council will also be able to grill ministers.

In March, the sultan ordered a study to extend the council's powers to be completed in 30 days. That came shortly after the normally peaceful sultanate was caught up in the protests sweeping the Arab world, with demonstrators taking to the streets in late February to demand improved living conditions.

In the northern city of Sohar, two demonstrators were shot dead in confrontations between police and protesters.