The Omani monarch, who was presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet at Bait Al Baraka here on Monday, underlined his concern for the welfare of citizens and in identifying their needs. He noted that the current phenomenon of increasing prices had affected countries around the world, and referred to its social and economic impacts.

Although external factors were to blame, Sultan Qaboos said, the government was striving to find ways to address the situation. He urged a ministerial committee, set up by the Cabinet last year to study the issue and make recommendations, to submit its report as early as possible. He also called upon the authorities concerned to ‘enhance their monitoring efforts, thereby limiting any unjustified price increase.’

Reviewing other domestic issues, Sultan Qaboos expressed satisfaction with the good economic progress achieved by the country so far, but stressed the need for judicious planning in order to secure continued development.

Turning to regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Iraq, he prayed to the Almighty ‘to grant the Iraqi people the means to achieve security and stability.’