Omani security forces arrest dozens of protesters demanding jobs and higher salaries

Omani security forces arrested dozens of protesters demanding jobs and higher salaries in Salalah on Saturday, following a wave of arrests in the southern port city in recent days.

Security forces had on Thursday fired shots in the air to push out protesters camped outside the provincial governor's office, destroying their tents and arresting dozens and possibly hundreds. Fresh clashes in Salalah erupted again on Friday.

"Security forces used their batons and took away protesters in three army buses," one witness, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters by telephone.

Protesters have focused on demands for more jobs, better wages and an end to graft. They have also urged more democratic reforms in the conservative sultanate.

Earlier this week, Omani police arrested six people involved in a demonstration demanding jobs and higher wages in the eastern town of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali.