Omani Transport Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Futaisi was quoted as saying it would make way for a new intersection to help ease traffic problems, avoid accidents and upgrade the surrounding roads. Hundreds of Omanis took to the streets of the northern industrial city of Sohar in February to demand higher pay, more jobs and an end to graft by government officials. The scale of the protests and scope of their aims was much lower than in other Arab countries where long-serving leaders have been toppled by popular uprisings this year. Bahrain in March tore down the statue at the centre of Pearl roundabout, the nucleus and symbol of pro-democracy demonstrations that were snuffed out by the Gulf kingdom's ruling monarchy along with troops from other Gulf states. The roadworks were decreed by Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said, according to the paper.
