Omani police and anti-government protesters clashed again on Monday, amid reports that the death toll of Sunday clashes reached at least five.

Omani police and anti-government protesters clashed again on Monday, amid reports that the death toll of Sunday clashes reached at least five.

Despite the announcement of new benefits for the jobless and more powers for an elected advisory council, the mostly unemployed demonstrators continued to maintain roadblocks in the key industrial area of Sohar, over 200 kilometers northwest of the capital Muscat.
Hundreds of demonstrators stormed a police station in the key industrial area of Sohar, northwest of the capital Muscat, and police responded by firing tear gas.

The protesters have been keeping a vigil at Earth Roundabout, a key intersection on the main road to the capital, for three straight days, defying efforts by police to remove them.
The security forces were nowhere to be seen on Monday after the previous day's deadly violence.

Protesters said that at least five people were killed while authorities put down the toll, saying that one protester was killed.

The Omani protesters insist they are not challenging the rule of Sultan Qaboos, who has been in power since 1970, but are merely calling for jobs and reform.

In a move towards addressing the grievances of the protesters, Qaboos announced 50,000 new jobs would be created for Omani citizens and benefits provided for the unemployed.
A royal decree carried by the state news agency on Sunday said a monthly allowance of 150 riyals (390 dollars) would be given to each registered job seeker.

Qaboos also ordered the formation of a ministerial committee, headed by palace affairs minister Sayed Ali bin Hmud al-Busaidi, to put together proposals to meet calls for more powers for Oman's elected consultative council.