Oman wins Moody’s confidence vote - FT.com

Oman’s political reforms have won a vote of confidence from Moody’s, the US rating agency, which described the passage of powers to the elected parliament as positive for the Gulf state’s credit rating after it was rocked by unrest earlier this year.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, who has ruled Oman for 40 years, has granted some legislative powers to the consultative Majlis al-Shura, allowing the newly elected parliament to question ministers, propose laws and suggest changes to government regulations.

The sultan said the chairman of the 84-member Shura council, and his deputies, could be elected by members of parliament, rather than being appointed by the ruler.

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